tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57590971670311347632024-03-12T19:42:05.031-07:00Solar LivingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-46945531367507372272010-10-05T20:32:00.000-07:002010-10-05T21:17:46.276-07:00The Solar Living Institute's SolFest XIV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A7Zkwa3DewCC0g5aEPxDxABydLdD1XeG0TDdp6So1UolxKi-EvzKyeTnXmKvIdxhQ6uEzoNI-Zi4np5lkw0x5gM7MG2I4fhFawengaYnpsGWfLEh74zJTP9Ci-3vmg2kUP6Raxg_ENSr/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A7Zkwa3DewCC0g5aEPxDxABydLdD1XeG0TDdp6So1UolxKi-EvzKyeTnXmKvIdxhQ6uEzoNI-Zi4np5lkw0x5gM7MG2I4fhFawengaYnpsGWfLEh74zJTP9Ci-3vmg2kUP6Raxg_ENSr/s400/DSC_0263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524773787394173042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bobby Kennedy Jr. speaks to the crowd at the Solar Living Institute fundraiser I organized at America's first carbon-neutral winery...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mG-raQrPXM9slkENnNdmHCeqBczgMAKk9pGDaOSXNn6vJEop5_EM4bEVMWDfKdcUXkilf_AsKRN71YmmWqvixFcN9v3fskm-zuBwWE2IfTYMi2O0IFCAkZdICTrNwLqJ4ulFa5x12H2i/s1600/DSC_0373.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mG-raQrPXM9slkENnNdmHCeqBczgMAKk9pGDaOSXNn6vJEop5_EM4bEVMWDfKdcUXkilf_AsKRN71YmmWqvixFcN9v3fskm-zuBwWE2IfTYMi2O0IFCAkZdICTrNwLqJ4ulFa5x12H2i/s400/DSC_0373.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524773780193623378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With Bobby Kennedy Jr. and Solar Living Institute Founder John Schaeffer...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOpJv8GukN3Yj0hu1Y0xx-gGBB7z2zbB0x6Ka8I1y6e0fGfAizFx58yjtm9ROFeFt0IET5y-BXQzLoG9g3bSJs5N0xfXIh6rg4H33GdOvUHuZJgLjfDYzrQcYacJUQurgkRWS5w7qCkqG/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOpJv8GukN3Yj0hu1Y0xx-gGBB7z2zbB0x6Ka8I1y6e0fGfAizFx58yjtm9ROFeFt0IET5y-BXQzLoG9g3bSJs5N0xfXIh6rg4H33GdOvUHuZJgLjfDYzrQcYacJUQurgkRWS5w7qCkqG/s400/20.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524773028661787410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Parducci Owner Paul Dolan speaks to the crowd about his winery's environmental practices...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6f30sMXZrQviikaUf5MTU9mY5gq8GUQpJr_ys6rXgUveEfOQblQVUCbejYCmiVYZ0jbZvfNm-Saic1fhGhCfY3I5-Q62I7-_DDBTz6f5Zn3s-Up9tIXslDW_kALzn3SBiDBlbfID90h9/s1600/28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6f30sMXZrQviikaUf5MTU9mY5gq8GUQpJr_ys6rXgUveEfOQblQVUCbejYCmiVYZ0jbZvfNm-Saic1fhGhCfY3I5-Q62I7-_DDBTz6f5Zn3s-Up9tIXslDW_kALzn3SBiDBlbfID90h9/s400/28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524773021015597666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bobby Kennedy Jr. with Congressman Mike Thompson...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AVq1Capfbspn3RcwrUmrLtlExrCST7CxGOywl8Os8-2r5VkwdFKkcm7lZMuRp0LG7ZntBD8QKJKB4XfwWoLc_WBxIxpH6ObmDcjX8z7a8HGz8K5uPoO1i2wQ2T_c8heWFRIvqBnfyayb/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AVq1Capfbspn3RcwrUmrLtlExrCST7CxGOywl8Os8-2r5VkwdFKkcm7lZMuRp0LG7ZntBD8QKJKB4XfwWoLc_WBxIxpH6ObmDcjX8z7a8HGz8K5uPoO1i2wQ2T_c8heWFRIvqBnfyayb/s400/17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524773021735814850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bobby Kennedy Jr. and Ed Begley Jr. listen to Paul Dolan's wise words...</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5lPdiOWjNRq-VZWbqLqdDJFdjbIQCDQ95p04nv5RpxF6QaxrZaPTCT7yE9vU2CYkLXP3ehCSgryGnepDS3QTxvcyXALIj4W98Vnx2yCWR1hHQPISddBGz0lcc7iAVNEYL7TWiTVTbUTz/s1600/a1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5lPdiOWjNRq-VZWbqLqdDJFdjbIQCDQ95p04nv5RpxF6QaxrZaPTCT7yE9vU2CYkLXP3ehCSgryGnepDS3QTxvcyXALIj4W98Vnx2yCWR1hHQPISddBGz0lcc7iAVNEYL7TWiTVTbUTz/s400/a1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524772063842519410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Book signing...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9Lctnw5LcjlNk9aFbn-Yfvp1dhKUTLxENEFBozyujKXr9wAM_0kvm86XiVJ1Z5pGQmNIqpQG-FumpuwAiW2plWjK2IaMFtsGcC7GWPXuR68QWtco1sBtsO5ZYMfQg8fZBE4Z6NXcureK/s1600/52.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9Lctnw5LcjlNk9aFbn-Yfvp1dhKUTLxENEFBozyujKXr9wAM_0kvm86XiVJ1Z5pGQmNIqpQG-FumpuwAiW2plWjK2IaMFtsGcC7GWPXuR68QWtco1sBtsO5ZYMfQg8fZBE4Z6NXcureK/s400/52.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524772060925613202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Book signing...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHsrRDFDWKqOKzGc83-A0xR_1Y1zPB9kUo0G14RJKJxCmHXSGKJVlv5LSJXXRMJuw92Lfzl0CarjwhDIPIsDLpBeMfFRnE8K3kBa2d_0PvhSgxX0tEcQY0g7iFOm99t6O2-OWNL1517Ie/s1600/39.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHsrRDFDWKqOKzGc83-A0xR_1Y1zPB9kUo0G14RJKJxCmHXSGKJVlv5LSJXXRMJuw92Lfzl0CarjwhDIPIsDLpBeMfFRnE8K3kBa2d_0PvhSgxX0tEcQY0g7iFOm99t6O2-OWNL1517Ie/s400/39.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524772054128868194" /></a><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">After months of planning and anticipating, the Solar Living Institute kicked off its 14th annual SolFest last weekend in Ukiah, California. As part of my overall contribution to SolFest, I was responsible for organizing a fundraiser with Environmental Advocate and Business Leader Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in support of the Solar Living Institute’s educational programming. Kennedy was named one of TIME Magazine’s “Heroes of the Planet” for his success in helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River, and was an early advocate for the benefits of solar energy and greater conservation efforts. He currently serves as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper, and is a partner in the clean tech work of Silicon Valley’s VantagePoint Ventures.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The fundraiser was held at <a href="http://www.parducci.com/">Parducci Wine Cellars</a>, America’s first carbon-neutral winery – and one of the first organic/biodynamic wineries in Mendocino County. After Kennedy’s speech at SolFest, he joined us at the winery for a reception, book signing, and performance by a local a cappella singing group. It was amazing to meet so many dedicated people in the local community and beyond who’ve made important contributions to expanding and promoting the use of renewable energy. I was particularly inspired by a few local trailblazers:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li>Parducci Owners Paul Dolan and Tim Thornhill are pioneers in the art of organic and biodynamic wine making. Their dedication to sustainable winegrowing practices has had a huge impact on Mendocino County’s reputation as a sustainable winegrowing hub. Through their commitment to responsible land stewardship, sustainable viticulture and green business practices, <a href="http://www.parducci.com/">Parducci Wine Cellars</a> is now regarded as the nation’s greenest winery and the first carbon-neutral winery in America. </li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.solarliving.org/">Solar Living Institute</a> Founder John Schaeffer is a pioneer in the North American solar industry. John’s company <a href="http://www.realgoodssolar.com/">Real Goods Solar</a>, which he founded 32 years ago, has installed more rooftop solar than any other company in the United States with over 6000 homes solarized. </li></ul><ul><li> <a href="http://www.ybiofuels.org/">Yokayo Biofuels</a> Founder and Owner Kumar Plocher guided his company from its inception in 2001 to its current existence as a biodiesel producer and distributor that makes fuel from recycled restaurant fryer oil. Kumar represents sustainability-minded small-scale producers and distributors focused on local/regional resource management and a decentralized energy model.</li></ul><ul><li>Hollywood Actor and Environmental Activist Ed Begley Jr. has been an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for years, in addition to rocking out as a mainstay in all of my favorite Christopher Guest films. He currently has a reality show about green living called <a href="http://livingwithed.net/">Living With Ed</a> on <a href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/">Planet Green</a>. </li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event a huge success! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-65248291674502549802010-09-01T14:39:00.000-07:002010-09-01T15:48:57.974-07:00Live Power Community Farm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mJay-_Txyx8l2KKWG6HFkLYRUZ5AjWVQp65k-tlzrSdqs43VgD1JEuHQ7bjyjfNDTxI5Ayj8OSgLnvRckH8gKUAJ0sJDVQDQCe9Tp0GmNnqKNHo6kFx9M7xQUfr7WipHIqTMNGIMtMwW/s1600/Live+Power+3.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 76px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mJay-_Txyx8l2KKWG6HFkLYRUZ5AjWVQp65k-tlzrSdqs43VgD1JEuHQ7bjyjfNDTxI5Ayj8OSgLnvRckH8gKUAJ0sJDVQDQCe9Tp0GmNnqKNHo6kFx9M7xQUfr7WipHIqTMNGIMtMwW/s400/Live+Power+3.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512080756831342530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRenYHEoDSwsT2J308m2WHOV9YxBUMDVSRC8blT6pk8ErFhp8WQPINaenBZ_qqJ2iilNCPVOUDLQ3RQ08jSteprl1EuIvZDAsB_Zsb-GKWXBVJ1-ChVwrkb-F8zwmReC5ONmrfQuk8BWLu/s1600/live+power+a.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRenYHEoDSwsT2J308m2WHOV9YxBUMDVSRC8blT6pk8ErFhp8WQPINaenBZ_qqJ2iilNCPVOUDLQ3RQ08jSteprl1EuIvZDAsB_Zsb-GKWXBVJ1-ChVwrkb-F8zwmReC5ONmrfQuk8BWLu/s400/live+power+a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512080748771539906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ10pepqv0zkrRVmNLHH2j7Oo6PyFK1t926-NU2VKxM11TBdfqiGmDNaGRIli62AiDHXRK79A1MDn6zbaA6eXeKVc3XohpeYMhqUZwgUxKARKhyhb-lA4fmy9BPL2hLU5taCzbSjm2R4RE/s1600/live+power+b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ10pepqv0zkrRVmNLHH2j7Oo6PyFK1t926-NU2VKxM11TBdfqiGmDNaGRIli62AiDHXRK79A1MDn6zbaA6eXeKVc3XohpeYMhqUZwgUxKARKhyhb-lA4fmy9BPL2hLU5taCzbSjm2R4RE/s400/live+power+b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512072463581302770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Happy September Everyone! To kick off the harvest season, the interns recently participated in a late summer harvest at Live Power Community Farm -- a 40-acre, solar electric and horse-powered biodynamic/organic farm that provides fresh, high-quality food for 160 households in the San Francisco Bay Area and Mendocino County. Founded in 1973 by Stephen and Gloria Decater, Live Power was a trailblazer in the sustainable and community-based food movement through its Community Sustained Agriculture (CSA) program, in which food production is planned for a specific member community that pays its operating expenses. This innovative cooperative approach to food production revitalizes the culture of land stewardship by creating a conscious, mutually supportive relationship between farmers, consumers, and nature.<br /><br />Live Power has been a Demeter Association-certified biodynamic farm since 1987. The biodynamic principles of agriculture originally described by Austrian philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner in 1924 emphasize understanding and respect for the earth as a living being. Biodynamics was the first organic movement, and is now among the largest network of organic farms worldwide. Biodynamic farming practices recognize and work harmoniously with cosmic and natural forces to leverage their activity in soil cultivation and food production. Biodynamic practices result in greater overall health and balance, preserve soil fertility, and produce nourishing food with high nutritional value. </span><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Live Power Community Farm is located at 1400 feet elevation in Round Valley, Mendocino County. The valley, with a local population of about 3000, has the largest Native American reservation in California and is surrounded by the Eel River and the Mendocino National Forest.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;">For more information on Live Power Community Farm, please visit: <a href="http://www.livepower.org/">www.livepower.org </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-49979186502884586872010-08-01T09:15:00.000-07:002010-08-01T10:15:52.689-07:00GRID Alternatives' Solarthon 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjyhejB7tBkwMJuoi8FoAMkBZzhejOAKbJlWdIqJdn62PfNXCiX6SwPjDhmCjLIqD5V2bSy9BmkQ_ZT70PuNR1XoqwfO2fpzFyikaTd3BeQPzQ8xa5vH3I1oghQJ9igLzyjVUH5coCOsB/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjyhejB7tBkwMJuoi8FoAMkBZzhejOAKbJlWdIqJdn62PfNXCiX6SwPjDhmCjLIqD5V2bSy9BmkQ_ZT70PuNR1XoqwfO2fpzFyikaTd3BeQPzQ8xa5vH3I1oghQJ9igLzyjVUH5coCOsB/s400/IMG_2888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500491105896867090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Solarthon 2010 Participants...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NnFrAmfqtGYsW1lBWviYWtmPGY9zl0Ra8VcUDgtNNIMvLJODVEWIfRO4UJI2jh2fI9hOdXzxge7uSlFQzBDKx2wpfDR8AOjbL_8Pp-3-x4cjNncwZiCq_44xZvUvrNl14yxvnKpaqLjm/s1600/IMG_2890.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NnFrAmfqtGYsW1lBWviYWtmPGY9zl0Ra8VcUDgtNNIMvLJODVEWIfRO4UJI2jh2fI9hOdXzxge7uSlFQzBDKx2wpfDR8AOjbL_8Pp-3-x4cjNncwZiCq_44xZvUvrNl14yxvnKpaqLjm/s400/IMG_2890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500479883919722402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our installation team...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_vZGQzmdFh4zzQqaz2qmk0pBL-680zP0vagvbfbj9D9bwzGjSW4PBFzuFHvewRD8t2sgNzbrOvjQiHz_bxXYVfpB0DA66GFi8mgYz9N-TuLTEiGE0SWYRmiKzuH_T8nKq4LS6mqE-Iwh/s1600/IMG_2864.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_vZGQzmdFh4zzQqaz2qmk0pBL-680zP0vagvbfbj9D9bwzGjSW4PBFzuFHvewRD8t2sgNzbrOvjQiHz_bxXYVfpB0DA66GFi8mgYz9N-TuLTEiGE0SWYRmiKzuH_T8nKq4LS6mqE-Iwh/s400/IMG_2864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500479873148431442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Installing some racking equipment...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpHYsIFuXKEXxqHX-suy7IO5jGqgZBAF_nwPU5bJzDNXa_zfdyglZGL3Lw994M-SrxkWbet1GDMSbwNjfRnMyNfgd7jePrtb1K2JXV1HUWDfZCPNgGpEnsyeLfqJhzDiY8t8gqG0cU91p/s1600/IMG_2936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpHYsIFuXKEXxqHX-suy7IO5jGqgZBAF_nwPU5bJzDNXa_zfdyglZGL3Lw994M-SrxkWbet1GDMSbwNjfRnMyNfgd7jePrtb1K2JXV1HUWDfZCPNgGpEnsyeLfqJhzDiY8t8gqG0cU91p/s400/IMG_2936.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500479570994512114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Justine installs her first panel!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DzjSQb2O6E-POh9RGBTGjX7sW_WXNjjdJri467ms6fPMX5ba5LJO7VKabSi8CHdOJr2klycCtesoUUgOYYwzamHb9VnXnddIr-u9EtS45FUSPYISGtJ5fRZW0G0qRGQqtqHFkdf1nlAD/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DzjSQb2O6E-POh9RGBTGjX7sW_WXNjjdJri467ms6fPMX5ba5LJO7VKabSi8CHdOJr2klycCtesoUUgOYYwzamHb9VnXnddIr-u9EtS45FUSPYISGtJ5fRZW0G0qRGQqtqHFkdf1nlAD/s400/IMG_2907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500490831118203938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lifting the panels onto the roof...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPGWH-XW7NN2VJJuomGzD8KmXXiQ7HoYF9D2opwoafN3JMzS-qT0S11LAeYHa15mCcrmJhaya5Hb0-kcQrmNa_6c4IfkGuwNN1k5Ew27vyu_j2ljXTzZjAAwEc3z9jYITR42ZlyK-eSwh/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPGWH-XW7NN2VJJuomGzD8KmXXiQ7HoYF9D2opwoafN3JMzS-qT0S11LAeYHa15mCcrmJhaya5Hb0-kcQrmNa_6c4IfkGuwNN1k5Ew27vyu_j2ljXTzZjAAwEc3z9jYITR42ZlyK-eSwh/s400/IMG_2943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500479562158736178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">View from the roof...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I am a very happy woman. Yesterday, I participated in an event called Solarthon 2010, where teams of volunteers from the San Francisco Bay Area installed solar pv systems in a community development with low-income families. The event was a fundraising block party sponsored by an organization called GRID Alternatives, a local non-profit that is dedicated to empowering communities in need with renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment, and training. <div><br /></div><div>As many of you know, I've been looking forward to this day for weeks, not only because of how passionate I am about the cause, but also because of how excited I was to be involved in a full rooftop solar installation from start to finish. As part of an overall installation crew of over 150 individuals, we broke into smaller teams to install nine 3-kilowatt solar systems in an affordable housing community in West Oakland. It was amazing to get some hands-on experience with a full installation from the racking phase to the commissioning phase, and to meet so many like-minded people who recognized the potential of solar energy to empower communities in need. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am also proud to say that I won the award for 2nd highest fundraising effort with a total of $1080 raised! I am grateful to everyone who helped me to reach and ultimately surpass my original fundraising target of $1000, and for all of the additional support that I've received over the last few weeks. Thank you!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-91715966425914758702010-07-19T16:25:00.001-07:002010-07-20T08:23:53.985-07:00Lavender Harvest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriKrRvpq7XK5jXd30I07qOk3mFTxf_yeKtGb1WaJM5gev3UOyE_HKuKeRACDkAqsy7cUNHFDJB3p_EJQPtO-pqVJZH3kQE-Mw0YPQbY1CaKcsDH1sC5brTtbbmGkq8S9VxslD8jKMHEL2/s1600/IMG_2397.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriKrRvpq7XK5jXd30I07qOk3mFTxf_yeKtGb1WaJM5gev3UOyE_HKuKeRACDkAqsy7cUNHFDJB3p_EJQPtO-pqVJZH3kQE-Mw0YPQbY1CaKcsDH1sC5brTtbbmGkq8S9VxslD8jKMHEL2/s400/IMG_2397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495767951080478898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWolbUcXhmo9cDutv2h0PyiFjI1DmLrrnHmpD1n98L1dd63kFiPZCdc2jQ5O732-CppcmGlop25tDshVbhin1ZdgLcXja17Ku_Hys7OKDoYoeeVnIefEhMolH47-kOq4iKU3aQePKVOEte/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWolbUcXhmo9cDutv2h0PyiFjI1DmLrrnHmpD1n98L1dd63kFiPZCdc2jQ5O732-CppcmGlop25tDshVbhin1ZdgLcXja17Ku_Hys7OKDoYoeeVnIefEhMolH47-kOq4iKU3aQePKVOEte/s400/IMG_2395.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495767943925072802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuD78w97gx1ifuryejoGqNaV3xqxbEKsPR1CNQ9bqAWdmkFNx6gNEwyFgnNwZ9t8vTw4LfKE7P_c5I5NAu09kqi7sLY-MoOfZx1exYpeOI8Bp04mOzBBh0ZV8UEtj9ssG7KC-owKVatHH/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuD78w97gx1ifuryejoGqNaV3xqxbEKsPR1CNQ9bqAWdmkFNx6gNEwyFgnNwZ9t8vTw4LfKE7P_c5I5NAu09kqi7sLY-MoOfZx1exYpeOI8Bp04mOzBBh0ZV8UEtj9ssG7KC-owKVatHH/s400/IMG_2426.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495767533135744498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ_LgBAStpDa7qWnoq5mildpe44DXE1C-Ltfh8w3xKld56Bp0R1SVP6tZIAfDaNyQI3OC3YuapzRfZRJKlEcKjvMmAGOhA9XOXg9Gr_OGYBoP1OYD1ZW3wyVBmDBqf3CGbeuCx94NK4Fy/s1600/IMG_2458.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ_LgBAStpDa7qWnoq5mildpe44DXE1C-Ltfh8w3xKld56Bp0R1SVP6tZIAfDaNyQI3OC3YuapzRfZRJKlEcKjvMmAGOhA9XOXg9Gr_OGYBoP1OYD1ZW3wyVBmDBqf3CGbeuCx94NK4Fy/s400/IMG_2458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495767520910901394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS7pQWcuojoy8AFjj4SrD8iK5qs9Jx5EZj48QX18GtFzsdvehJm08aCaZ9CsMnbRfSl_7nBWRu1avl7_LRHGWGh_6y2Sk6y_BUeWHkirRPfipxOcX_8R5hXuetap8FNHQJiBMURq5YsJZ/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS7pQWcuojoy8AFjj4SrD8iK5qs9Jx5EZj48QX18GtFzsdvehJm08aCaZ9CsMnbRfSl_7nBWRu1avl7_LRHGWGh_6y2Sk6y_BUeWHkirRPfipxOcX_8R5hXuetap8FNHQJiBMURq5YsJZ/s400/IMG_2430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495767507037302226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPD6uXwekvFdQqCbnrNcwW51jI_85JrOkrdRUzimPPgxwI9E1RvNGeL3ypLQcXZGGufR1lQlVK_oI2ETlZOcC7KZlP59Iltp41rJUAIPkegiPJ7kCmKgBM1zHwL4o8Ni_vxaZBQRF9Fyw/s1600/IMG_2441.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPD6uXwekvFdQqCbnrNcwW51jI_85JrOkrdRUzimPPgxwI9E1RvNGeL3ypLQcXZGGufR1lQlVK_oI2ETlZOcC7KZlP59Iltp41rJUAIPkegiPJ7kCmKgBM1zHwL4o8Ni_vxaZBQRF9Fyw/s400/IMG_2441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495767500105816578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQNSSnEjofrwvYmw-IWRo3Hjx7OaSH2nDeiW33FGrxLm91oiLXDEv-DFmCRbnf2tp974vgoaEEZe3aCWB-CefsWi7DzWMnX1BEkfgIeFNMz1oBHynqDYLBTcB1BzmQdPIVFYt4Kpj0_8R/s1600/IMG_2443.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQNSSnEjofrwvYmw-IWRo3Hjx7OaSH2nDeiW33FGrxLm91oiLXDEv-DFmCRbnf2tp974vgoaEEZe3aCWB-CefsWi7DzWMnX1BEkfgIeFNMz1oBHynqDYLBTcB1BzmQdPIVFYt4Kpj0_8R/s400/IMG_2443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495767488203006050" /></a><br />Ever since my mother made a delicious batch of home-made lavender ice cream a few years ago, I have been addicted to lavender in all its culinary glory. So you can imagine how excited I was to participate in a lavender harvest last weekend at <a href="http://www.sunriseridgeretreat.com/gardens.htm">Sunrise Ridge Gardens</a> in west Sonoma County -- a seven acre permaculture garden that grows heirloom fruits, berries, and french lavender. We spent the afternoon cutting, bundling, and hanging the lavender for the following weekend's farmer's market, and will be returning next weekend to learn how to distill the lavender to make essential oils!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-56426753020826226332010-07-08T16:33:00.000-07:002010-07-12T10:15:04.269-07:00Natural Building Intensive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlB4Vp9HIN8zPKxJV3xXUOs_q4H067xpwc6MiMua65jPlSUyLkzmWF-9LaDFZJtFQIyz9eOQ4G2cwEQqUMUquRowGzL26I0KhmJ4wcIMmLSSEJDMal5ceuRXcld4S1fPS3Kb7kon4az55/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlB4Vp9HIN8zPKxJV3xXUOs_q4H067xpwc6MiMua65jPlSUyLkzmWF-9LaDFZJtFQIyz9eOQ4G2cwEQqUMUquRowGzL26I0KhmJ4wcIMmLSSEJDMal5ceuRXcld4S1fPS3Kb7kon4az55/s400/IMG_2085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685936923517074" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Making cob with clay, sand, and straw...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwKLBCpV17zlf8sg89zqVeKrOmxwerBgV26vvTPvAqbdQyaQehBkEAg6n-LgaA1F388p7VD8pP5dKLl8RWsjd5hSDOLgV_i88NrKrICqIBATHoDFLma2bmJG6e-TgKyWWt4UjeROzPRtE/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwKLBCpV17zlf8sg89zqVeKrOmxwerBgV26vvTPvAqbdQyaQehBkEAg6n-LgaA1F388p7VD8pP5dKLl8RWsjd5hSDOLgV_i88NrKrICqIBATHoDFLma2bmJG6e-TgKyWWt4UjeROzPRtE/s400/IMG_2078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685927155566290" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Retrofitting an old shower house with earth plaster...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7npzLEFP3OW826w-5X71pxSHtTz0NhWNcut15aebuZVGfCIFlTUNs0ikVa-7lyEHEFAWWTnvf4CR0QfbNNQUhX2dtehzyxYyvze4mfxEVbv1KhYm4NYKhNZGH0-QfW-mZ8ydrQSpiozpS/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7npzLEFP3OW826w-5X71pxSHtTz0NhWNcut15aebuZVGfCIFlTUNs0ikVa-7lyEHEFAWWTnvf4CR0QfbNNQUhX2dtehzyxYyvze4mfxEVbv1KhYm4NYKhNZGH0-QfW-mZ8ydrQSpiozpS/s400/IMG_2028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685920858601970" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Outdoor lecture with Massey Burke...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwCudYmA4KYdbFE8-vPguJVEtSxJsDwKmAukDkfvmHgCxWUn0OH-Hw230Z6dRZ3Z6Ma7AKVZFdAnTA_vIkkbaPp13eMyBEcRdDNnAs8m0RlROlwU_Q7HCk1jbhpmGq31FR-eLUblO0R3v/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwCudYmA4KYdbFE8-vPguJVEtSxJsDwKmAukDkfvmHgCxWUn0OH-Hw230Z6dRZ3Z6Ma7AKVZFdAnTA_vIkkbaPp13eMyBEcRdDNnAs8m0RlROlwU_Q7HCk1jbhpmGq31FR-eLUblO0R3v/s400/IMG_1982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685110563786370" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cob stomping party!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick3vFKSjd278EM7AGX0H9fut7vbkjW44-Hh52K3cjXR9MNw_0Xbd_z5_ZTpoSYxOq-10cWzooFz9hW3cQFJrItuxXVlaRRbSA4ysDE4dHFVeVEksEc0slQr1URRi6evLcwFoxPojYtUPs/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick3vFKSjd278EM7AGX0H9fut7vbkjW44-Hh52K3cjXR9MNw_0Xbd_z5_ZTpoSYxOq-10cWzooFz9hW3cQFJrItuxXVlaRRbSA4ysDE4dHFVeVEksEc0slQr1URRi6evLcwFoxPojYtUPs/s400/IMG_2056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685098361062434" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cuatro and Massey discussing the benefits of earth plaster...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cj-Mp6EsKLTi4re2Kpk_rucF0vMM-cFQ1ZA2jH7_POAiT3EVyXkfcGIVq6FLDDDfxWFy5JxeW75HmRD8ypxhiKp_xGWh6luTr6Z9N6zVkqLcKi_45l6tkkBktAVqQSQrhRau3ArCy99X/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cj-Mp6EsKLTi4re2Kpk_rucF0vMM-cFQ1ZA2jH7_POAiT3EVyXkfcGIVq6FLDDDfxWFy5JxeW75HmRD8ypxhiKp_xGWh6luTr6Z9N6zVkqLcKi_45l6tkkBktAVqQSQrhRau3ArCy99X/s400/IMG_2111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685089447018370" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Applying the first coat of earth plaster to the cob bench...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Anyone who knows me well knows that I am crazy about straw bale houses – not the kind that was blown down by the Big Bad Wolf, but the uber-sustainable ones that use stacked straw bales as a highly efficient insulating mater<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ial, and in the case of load-bearing straw bale houses, as the structural support </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> insulation in one fell swoop. Yowza!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As such, it was a dream come true to spend a whole week at a natural building workshop with Massey Burke, Co-founder of the natural building company and school </span><a href="http://www.verticalclay.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Vertical Clay</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in Berkeley. The retreat was held at </span><a href="http://magruderranch.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ingel-Haven Ranch</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in Potter Valley, a gorgeous 5</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> generation family ranch that I <a href="http://mysolarliving.blogspot.com/2010/04/magruder-ranch.html">blogged about</a> a few postings back. The eco-ranch was the perfect setting to experiment with different natural building techniques.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Massey defined natural building as “the art of building durable things with biodegradable materials” and discussed the many environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits of using local, biodegradable materials to build natural structures. From an environmental perspective, natural buildings have low embodied energy, meaning that little to no energy is required to produce the materials used to create the structure. Second, natural building can be a form of waste reduction, particularly in straw bale and cob structures that use straw (a waste product) as the main building material. From an economic perspective, natural building is often the most affordable option, since most of the building materials can be sourced from your own property or the local area. From an aesthetic standpoint, natural building materials lend themselves to infinite creative variability, producing unique shapes and patterns that are unattainable with most conventional building </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">materials. And last but not least, natural building is a great way to bring together your friends and family to "raise the walls" so to speak, and for this reason is often praised for its community-building potential.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-style: normal;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Throughout the week, we turned theory into practice by using natural materials from on-site to build a large community bench and to retrofit an old shower house. The bench was constructed mainly of cob, which is a combination of clay, sand, and straw – the same three materials that are used to make adobe bricks. In both cases, the sand functions as the aggregate that provides compressive strength (resistance to weight forces); the straw functions as the fiber that provides tensile strength (resistance to pulling forces); and the clay functions as the binder that holds it all together. These three basic materials translate into a plethora of natural building styles: cob, adobe, straw bale, rammed earth, wattle & daub, earth bags, and earth ships!</span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-86904661957886277462010-06-07T23:08:00.000-07:002010-06-07T23:08:53.577-07:00Please Support my Campaign for Solarthon 2010<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/29X_dQ9O8-M&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/29X_dQ9O8-M&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-1271266380403483292010-06-07T22:44:00.000-07:002010-06-07T23:28:26.895-07:00Solarthon 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kokmgCFy76il1JGYE0dztVaLjGqZeF079iDKyop4Yioub9PxAkJaJG5G4bpL9iFMUr11CskHEIFRp5ZK_dsD3ivuc9AzjIA837NslOnc_asfyu788pIK85cIF5f3jz-PFRqMyFeQbG_Z/s1600/Solarthon+Graphic.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kokmgCFy76il1JGYE0dztVaLjGqZeF079iDKyop4Yioub9PxAkJaJG5G4bpL9iFMUr11CskHEIFRp5ZK_dsD3ivuc9AzjIA837NslOnc_asfyu788pIK85cIF5f3jz-PFRqMyFeQbG_Z/s400/Solarthon+Graphic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480278067849971746" /></a><div>Hi Everyone! On July 31st, I will be participating in an event called Solarthon 2010, where teams of volunteers from the San Francisco Bay Area will be installing solar photovoltaic systems in an Oakland community development with low-income families. The event is a fundraising block party that is sponsored by an organization called GRID Alternatives, a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to empowering communities in need with renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment, and training. This one-day event will help to raise money for community solar projects and bring energy savings to low-income families who need it the most.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am incredibly passionate about this cause for several reasons. First, I believe that solar energy can be a powerful social policy tool by reducing utility bills, contributing to a healthier and cleaner local environment, and functioning as a source of community building and empowerment -- all of which have important effects on overall quality of life. Second, by training local individuals to design and install solar systems, this project will have powerful effects on the local economy by equipping individuals with the skills and experience necessary to enter the emerging solar industry. Finally, solar power will have long-lasting effects on the global environment, as we begin to transition away from carbon-intensive fossil fuels toward clean, renewable energy sources. </div><div><br /></div><div>For these reasons, I am thrilled to be participating in Solarthon 2010, where I'll be working directly alongside low-income families to install solar systems on their homes, which will save each family over $16,000 in energy costs over the expected lifetime of the system.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please join me in this project and sponsor my efforts by making a tax-deductible donation to GRID Alternatives! My personal fundraising goal is $1000, which will go a long way toward reducing energy costs for a family in need. Please help me to achieve my goal by visiting the following link: <a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/emilycwood">www.firstgiving.com/emilycwood</a></div><div><br /></div><div>For more information about this event, please visit: <a href="http://www.solarthon.org/">www.solarthon.org</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information about GRID Alternatives, please visit: <a href="http://www.gridalternatives.org/">www.gridalternatives.org</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks so much for your support!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-size:13px;"></span></span></span></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-37639807461210466462010-06-02T12:06:00.000-07:002010-06-02T13:06:40.233-07:00Cafe Gratitude's Be Love Farm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhTDs7dtDfQ5g6SBDaCvibhD6yfjVDb9dcsxHkJ2e0xR6rGxoHQ4LOIDaVkqUE6hbfEaTHiYF22E02QSYd06VZvdhINeY-1nDS0_Esd7hOriC-IeGWA1dAdXs2eTImhFws-MjNI2T8KtJ/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhTDs7dtDfQ5g6SBDaCvibhD6yfjVDb9dcsxHkJ2e0xR6rGxoHQ4LOIDaVkqUE6hbfEaTHiYF22E02QSYd06VZvdhINeY-1nDS0_Esd7hOriC-IeGWA1dAdXs2eTImhFws-MjNI2T8KtJ/s400/IMG_1696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478269041162685922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEfgmvDjkwMk1_XzOK3LDf1vyLiOxkGZd7kn32O00uNY5J9h7KtgaukezA_VGids8ndq1IJLsXViLiufczPP0x32Ati2Bqn3hDNnzIadRWpRNK6btvXy3oOBBnvTkorFlfFlM0N1TKYDf/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEfgmvDjkwMk1_XzOK3LDf1vyLiOxkGZd7kn32O00uNY5J9h7KtgaukezA_VGids8ndq1IJLsXViLiufczPP0x32Ati2Bqn3hDNnzIadRWpRNK6btvXy3oOBBnvTkorFlfFlM0N1TKYDf/s400/IMG_1713.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478269030752810066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04iltt82MpUaHJF3NuaGk3QnxAACJVPJrfaM27YxbjSNMRVSx5xckeKkzDNqNxYgbS2AsSuUDzviLYxgNbyFR9t7qigsFOJyE2FP7kEEPRNW-y3aj5tY75C8L4QedNMIWDqXLgEViwU_f/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04iltt82MpUaHJF3NuaGk3QnxAACJVPJrfaM27YxbjSNMRVSx5xckeKkzDNqNxYgbS2AsSuUDzviLYxgNbyFR9t7qigsFOJyE2FP7kEEPRNW-y3aj5tY75C8L4QedNMIWDqXLgEViwU_f/s400/IMG_1675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478269021052991602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZekIPbQNpqMTjsbNnlIEQSE4LxVQAg1-ScLs0TDkjVezBzcnn5Y1OG9E7BRjnrDpfJYmahA3uf0WilBypO8ukcECyKpnCCDJ353JgV5IW_5r4KYlCTmTsZ3GAXNcsOUu-ehAm7HAOD0AX/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZekIPbQNpqMTjsbNnlIEQSE4LxVQAg1-ScLs0TDkjVezBzcnn5Y1OG9E7BRjnrDpfJYmahA3uf0WilBypO8ukcECyKpnCCDJ353JgV5IW_5r4KYlCTmTsZ3GAXNcsOUu-ehAm7HAOD0AX/s400/IMG_1688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478269014815488994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZCdyJ5aFRQESL_sA2ZhPQUn6jat-O_r5n8nsd3ZF33aQEXJoEtB0RQK-hFDWm-Thqa6N6OOSNu-oWCWxjwI3nPMEpl-ADbD68jNR8hTu1kfP6wG6SrHAFSRNufMxq8HAEC6Grm4-kISy/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZCdyJ5aFRQESL_sA2ZhPQUn6jat-O_r5n8nsd3ZF33aQEXJoEtB0RQK-hFDWm-Thqa6N6OOSNu-oWCWxjwI3nPMEpl-ADbD68jNR8hTu1kfP6wG6SrHAFSRNufMxq8HAEC6Grm4-kISy/s400/IMG_1717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478269006068658450" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>This past week, I organized a field trip down to the <i style="">Be Love Farm</i> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Pleasant</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>, owned and operated by Matthew and Terces Engelhart, Founders of the Café Gratitude restaurant chain in the San Francisco Bay Area. Matthew and Terces are trailblazers in the American sustainable food movement, so it was an amazing privilege to be welcomed into their home to learn more about their philosophy and business model. In exchange for a gorgeous lunch of home-made tortillas with various beans and greens from their garden, we spent the day helping to grow organic fruits and nuts that supply the bulk of their restaurants in the Bay Area. <p class="MsoNormal">Cafe Gratitude's mission statement reflects a business style that is rooted in a deep connection to the community and land that provides the energy to grow their food:<br /></p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">"Café Gratitude is our expression of a world of plenty. Our food and people are a celebration of our aliveness. We select the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves, as we are one and the same. We support local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products. Our food is prepared with love. We invite you to step inside and enjoy being someone that chooses: loving your life, adoring yourself, accepting the world, being generous and grateful every day, and experiencing being provided for. Have fun and enjoy being nourished. Welcome to Café Gratitude!"</p> <p class="MsoNormal">To learn more about Café Gratitude, please click <a href="http://www.cafegratitude.com/">here</a>.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-82814744213572689572010-05-21T08:30:00.001-07:002010-05-21T08:52:47.160-07:00Agriculture Day in Willits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5Vk80WVX2IODCoWZZbl8mAS0YL5P5KOZeoyBB07DdIHSqW1yJT2BNsEs_KEO7XJDcFQWwFvoIsneQe3Xge_s3MrloicdToGPEortENT60pAMTnLwnrtV0oG3NZruMgwiLDx57S0r9Fg3/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5Vk80WVX2IODCoWZZbl8mAS0YL5P5KOZeoyBB07DdIHSqW1yJT2BNsEs_KEO7XJDcFQWwFvoIsneQe3Xge_s3MrloicdToGPEortENT60pAMTnLwnrtV0oG3NZruMgwiLDx57S0r9Fg3/s400/IMG_1550.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473750697714175330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YNSwTnpl9xW9GjNSgUnfrcZ1_fKo_9F5dMs7rdXKlpU8RbDEsexR_2otWRlZQ27AVHMWX0MQqBJ8afb1gw7zEGHYAp_v3ZbvhyphenhyphenavvKK7JiL5aPaNxd4e3fIN8Mp0Brc9iuxk9uZMzVPV/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YNSwTnpl9xW9GjNSgUnfrcZ1_fKo_9F5dMs7rdXKlpU8RbDEsexR_2otWRlZQ27AVHMWX0MQqBJ8afb1gw7zEGHYAp_v3ZbvhyphenhyphenavvKK7JiL5aPaNxd4e3fIN8Mp0Brc9iuxk9uZMzVPV/s400/IMG_1568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473750688774341778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3YV7M2Fd8Tjh-vXRqFp_L9SdLZ2DIyJJxL3aFCjphJFfQQ44z4YJdDN1SsiUJGgDIHO4PGgWjipx1gJG_yAzLXzfNJh5AZRfIrYPxu8suL9JZ9LryBsviM7kuatkJeHBI5LRao4BELhs/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3YV7M2Fd8Tjh-vXRqFp_L9SdLZ2DIyJJxL3aFCjphJFfQQ44z4YJdDN1SsiUJGgDIHO4PGgWjipx1gJG_yAzLXzfNJh5AZRfIrYPxu8suL9JZ9LryBsviM7kuatkJeHBI5LRao4BELhs/s400/IMG_1572.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473750683455287762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmeDXXXYLMvqra9JL_yJMVeSDYOkfJ14hwhtrFmJaNfAI4LtGtGEJlXlT423maGUnkY7ukzAkc18c6JuhhBsjVvY7Vk-7fuiAWGicPbTPrsiUtMQXgHf6jtp4sjzlvcliPLZFV77lCPNQ/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmeDXXXYLMvqra9JL_yJMVeSDYOkfJ14hwhtrFmJaNfAI4LtGtGEJlXlT423maGUnkY7ukzAkc18c6JuhhBsjVvY7Vk-7fuiAWGicPbTPrsiUtMQXgHf6jtp4sjzlvcliPLZFV77lCPNQ/s400/IMG_1601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473750673199107154" /></a><br />One of the best parts of my job is getting to teach little kids about sustainable living, and (more often than not) learning from <i>them</i> about what it means to live sustainably. Over the past two months, I've met dozens of 8-10 year olds who've taught me all about what it means to live off the grid, to build natural structures, to raise animals and grow vegetables organically... and the list goes on. Needless to say, it is a constant source of inspiration in my life these days. <div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, we had the privilege of participating in <i>Agriculture Day</i> in the town of Willits, where we taught 400 Grade 2-4 students how to make adobe bricks using natural materials from the earth and how to bake cookies using a solar oven. Between hands-on sessions, I met two 9-year old beekeepers named John and Clay, who were demonstrating how to make honey from their backyard hive. Watching little kids teaching other kids about the benefits of homesteading was pretty amazing. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-62453124098738960412010-05-11T17:57:00.000-07:002010-05-11T18:02:01.719-07:00I Passed the NABCEP Solar PV Exam!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oKBm1rjvAdl6ZkzhPXOjDWd_q_wVJt6CGsxjxWyBzD2uJkArVlio_0gq9LhONsNJPpkjlsLlFRG-RRkUkk0EB5J-drr6X2mWUvXvwOEQKfqgp060h1eFC6i5t0kqUUXmFprNnVbYPbXP/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oKBm1rjvAdl6ZkzhPXOjDWd_q_wVJt6CGsxjxWyBzD2uJkArVlio_0gq9LhONsNJPpkjlsLlFRG-RRkUkk0EB5J-drr6X2mWUvXvwOEQKfqgp060h1eFC6i5t0kqUUXmFprNnVbYPbXP/s400/IMG_1509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470181486047831202" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-63705271535547820282010-05-06T21:21:00.000-07:002010-05-06T21:56:30.850-07:00Urban Homesteading: How to Raise Backyard Goats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3Vbu3cvzsRUwM3EdPRc06KbjAY4ubZd71uGKh8iH3XOzFYWL0y0dEp9Ug2jHNdfcI0GETbPApgoNIZVRgDw80R2YJQV-GgM5xmXjLi-hXc_w1KO6tb-EgZY338WPB4nyFvycgrPowrEa/s1600/P4170036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3Vbu3cvzsRUwM3EdPRc06KbjAY4ubZd71uGKh8iH3XOzFYWL0y0dEp9Ug2jHNdfcI0GETbPApgoNIZVRgDw80R2YJQV-GgM5xmXjLi-hXc_w1KO6tb-EgZY338WPB4nyFvycgrPowrEa/s400/P4170036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468385620414917154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vLAsYJRC34_HC2phVrLWXDEXw1miBf1DdmRlKjHqWGZ5Pp_Npq8CWtTCYz50aKzBdRpM_tbhrjWJiyq-PBQ8ammrMOFNs-OAkMwfSkOrxjiUyx4j3buaqokw7GvwUaPb-V1HHIEDnd2W/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vLAsYJRC34_HC2phVrLWXDEXw1miBf1DdmRlKjHqWGZ5Pp_Npq8CWtTCYz50aKzBdRpM_tbhrjWJiyq-PBQ8ammrMOFNs-OAkMwfSkOrxjiUyx4j3buaqokw7GvwUaPb-V1HHIEDnd2W/s400/IMG_1269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468385614466709602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlloxZ8xoxtnzUjglbVwn-wK4a12XmHwxmpoTwK4D2FHRptz2TYbcGh_q70PiIGai2SiMQhBpElR-rFqZ5Edd1ivB5cfVBjiqmOCg5eMaOM0qUp1QgDf_fFk-wuikwW0B2mcKCwQLV3Kin/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlloxZ8xoxtnzUjglbVwn-wK4a12XmHwxmpoTwK4D2FHRptz2TYbcGh_q70PiIGai2SiMQhBpElR-rFqZ5Edd1ivB5cfVBjiqmOCg5eMaOM0qUp1QgDf_fFk-wuikwW0B2mcKCwQLV3Kin/s400/IMG_1271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468385602859118370" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsr4_gVxApbtOsWpXptXD1ciMKadQHMBjftrjpllya3hFwSv5y7Kef4tKU-n0QwEcms5Iz4ZU3MnwKe7NDix3mYloOqv5HDZ-MgfYi0XvFXr1i_ciXWby_iH2wgcnDwDljHTMXiuz4tjlp/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCwSm2XsUqMO3aIEIz7n9noRV3h0s11CQhE6okgA4aioqBE2InrZO-znwQVwwYS8IrrQPvu_i0RyyFNrYGMOly27faYD3igtvi_wiJ23oGVtAXsvtzmMfGOhabsOfzqy0cPNWZMOBNHxS/s1600/IMG_8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCwSm2XsUqMO3aIEIz7n9noRV3h0s11CQhE6okgA4aioqBE2InrZO-znwQVwwYS8IrrQPvu_i0RyyFNrYGMOly27faYD3igtvi_wiJ23oGVtAXsvtzmMfGOhabsOfzqy0cPNWZMOBNHxS/s400/IMG_8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468382909570073650" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhSuy2C1FMEHZlBosLsFcGYKKq4jPy-G7hDQLc4DEV4Si3RB1taeHSesdUorFLkRTl3guqvw4U4IGa8lGY-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Urban homesteading is <i>super</i> trendy right now in the Bay Area, where just about everyone seems to have a few backyard chickens or goats these days. Since we had the chicken part down pat since Day One, we decided to adopt two baby goats last week to go through the process of raising our own meat in a sustainable manner. Not surprisingly, it has generated a bit of controversy among the organization's vegetarian donor base, but we strongly believe that if we eat it, we should know what's involved in raising and processing it. So we built a large pen under one of our solar arrays, picked up some goat feed, and adopted two little bucklings of about six weeks old. <div><br /></div><div>In addition to being a great source of meat, raising a small goat herd can also be a powerful method for landscape management, as goat grazing controls a lot of unwanted weed species like poison oak, which is pervasive in Northern California at this time of year. Another benefit of raising goats is all of the fantastic by-products that you can make with their milk and whey, such as cheese, yogourt, ice cream, and soap!</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information on the benefits of raising backyard goats, please visit <a href="http://www.supergoat.org/">www.supergoat.org</a>. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-17172641570293831952010-04-27T18:23:00.000-07:002010-04-27T22:27:29.707-07:00How to Design and Install Grid-Tied Solar Systems<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm3JnB-38jl1XI5Uv77JSnVQXwsWxv3ZWy0kXgOBX32Ix91zmyCnW48O7ActZoQ9N7DYWzo52hdR4Tiapt_m5u1_umbj87pCCf3axFXtoI-Ie8KhD6dek5JuT_EFrE-H9NLpmpWjJcEic/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm3JnB-38jl1XI5Uv77JSnVQXwsWxv3ZWy0kXgOBX32Ix91zmyCnW48O7ActZoQ9N7DYWzo52hdR4Tiapt_m5u1_umbj87pCCf3axFXtoI-Ie8KhD6dek5JuT_EFrE-H9NLpmpWjJcEic/s400/DSC_0057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465055513439796594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6uDaMmOrGj12JPu1WJssAGaAG62c7KAvXUIPaWdA-XmzPCk3z6QRQOgCh6I9bsK04Ecp0LvJocQmL6468wn2OI7JjnAcFd6RhwneuG1Wq0lR8PwYGLvWV_QgYxaTrGTubrfx0YFL1sEn/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6uDaMmOrGj12JPu1WJssAGaAG62c7KAvXUIPaWdA-XmzPCk3z6QRQOgCh6I9bsK04Ecp0LvJocQmL6468wn2OI7JjnAcFd6RhwneuG1Wq0lR8PwYGLvWV_QgYxaTrGTubrfx0YFL1sEn/s400/DSC_0055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465055498539536850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U6TPX-fd_-TmDz_NWJmeXagj_tvP7bnQ-G7hq-7w4Ln1pDTuD4WP6WKeo6Gt8eUWerMw_dV5yd7Gf8SbKS1PciOVXxmvCBEUdmTDWdh9P7maWSHhyzuAg4dLj1QL3m_5iypYAiLkx6b7/s1600/IMG_1358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U6TPX-fd_-TmDz_NWJmeXagj_tvP7bnQ-G7hq-7w4Ln1pDTuD4WP6WKeo6Gt8eUWerMw_dV5yd7Gf8SbKS1PciOVXxmvCBEUdmTDWdh9P7maWSHhyzuAg4dLj1QL3m_5iypYAiLkx6b7/s400/IMG_1358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465055488184522418" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfFQdw_WIoxEIf0zP77dkaOCXgVR1o5qQ0Oh5-EFCBup5ooLOLfBE8Wa6BohBsT-CAq0KsMXPOOl-xUwdcs9KgqrH3mrLzc_ei3fKuaO7yMYxQKoFa3cRvCldOK4ou85zlUZYAAsw84pB/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfFQdw_WIoxEIf0zP77dkaOCXgVR1o5qQ0Oh5-EFCBup5ooLOLfBE8Wa6BohBsT-CAq0KsMXPOOl-xUwdcs9KgqrH3mrLzc_ei3fKuaO7yMYxQKoFa3cRvCldOK4ou85zlUZYAAsw84pB/s400/DSC_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464998859193905266" border="0" /></a><br />To complement the off-grid course I took last month, I spent all of last week in an intensive 40-hour solar photovoltaic design and installation workshop, focused primarily on how to design and install residential and commercial grid-connected solar pv systems. The course was designed to prepare students to sit for the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) Entry Level Exam, which I took on the final day of the course. Through in-class demonstration and hands-on practice, I was able to learn the basics of pv system sizing and wiring; racking and mounting techniques; installing/connecting inverters, charge controllers, meters, and safety disconnects; ground fault protection; and battery sizing. It was great to finally learn some tech talk and get my hands dirty with an actual rooftop solar installation!<br /><br />Like the off-grid course, the highlight of the week was getting to know the 28 individuals who traveled from across the country and world to do the workshop:<br /><br />Manuel from Aruba, who plans to start a small solar business on his island community; Mario from Miami, who wants to add solar installation services to his clean tech company and expand its presence across the country; Oliver from Ecuador, who hopes to bring solar electricity to a local indigenous group; and finally Justin and Brian, two brothers from Oregon who are the first men in their family to defect from the logging industry to follow a new career path.<br /><br />p.s. For my technically-inclined friends, the other highlight of the workshop was undoubtedly when I was the first in the class to calculate the AC power output of a polycrystalline solar module by multiplying STC wattage x irradiance factor x derate factors... all with a Grade 11 math education! If I could do it, anyone can.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-73953003321767039782010-04-24T20:34:00.000-07:002010-04-24T20:34:36.139-07:00Emily Checks the Voltage of a Solar Panel<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IGAZ8-eD1hs&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IGAZ8-eD1hs&hl=en_US&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-90582647059166276582010-04-12T20:05:00.000-07:002010-04-12T20:44:07.880-07:00Magruder Ranch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgbrJ0HZhe1WIwpimoIWWQWJ7k3j3ki-HFf5I4nIsXv4F2bT0a-O1-VNQ6oX4MJov3cokePj8jtRBc2SU7I3QMMJtpxgy_fK3qXj8vWv0CE4sOMhdwMgIG7oZHp_LMyaIr2A5mOEiqe5N/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgbrJ0HZhe1WIwpimoIWWQWJ7k3j3ki-HFf5I4nIsXv4F2bT0a-O1-VNQ6oX4MJov3cokePj8jtRBc2SU7I3QMMJtpxgy_fK3qXj8vWv0CE4sOMhdwMgIG7oZHp_LMyaIr2A5mOEiqe5N/s400/IMG_1172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459462511902501730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUpc_yN6LHUDwTtGYakqticX7Qu_s6TMhhEUwpah3_cKFp7UINirhDqFWPKohslMTOxBlhos9EKZtAaLFf0FsE_zg0BZwAzzM3cARoijBW8YROB1Wc9fXTxO3VXGmX_pfuOUv1TNldsed/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUpc_yN6LHUDwTtGYakqticX7Qu_s6TMhhEUwpah3_cKFp7UINirhDqFWPKohslMTOxBlhos9EKZtAaLFf0FsE_zg0BZwAzzM3cARoijBW8YROB1Wc9fXTxO3VXGmX_pfuOUv1TNldsed/s400/IMG_1158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459462490971544466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCXTH6X0WfFgGHHgzuDpIoI_YwLW59B7z9pCzaa2DK333m3_-Hq-b1dzHB0pSlL-1xkLWTrNrUJ52XmFNkFXnvak65POG_0ui1IODMpwblhpd0uGQV1PiujRyxs1nMXuLOAc81Xj77les/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCXTH6X0WfFgGHHgzuDpIoI_YwLW59B7z9pCzaa2DK333m3_-Hq-b1dzHB0pSlL-1xkLWTrNrUJ52XmFNkFXnvak65POG_0ui1IODMpwblhpd0uGQV1PiujRyxs1nMXuLOAc81Xj77les/s400/IMG_1142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459462476174049890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh832_23IGZng8hDaWb_5yE1rfZ4TKtj1C_wlSNFLGqhZxGfH5yKVqcGcD7U6824d0u0u3BVGbmQD-HCXYdWWFFBi2J-Ouz36ukre61dRUxY1aWcIr6BE-bu6u68NDlmG_4YUlPN2NJ_619/s1600/P4010131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh832_23IGZng8hDaWb_5yE1rfZ4TKtj1C_wlSNFLGqhZxGfH5yKVqcGcD7U6824d0u0u3BVGbmQD-HCXYdWWFFBi2J-Ouz36ukre61dRUxY1aWcIr6BE-bu6u68NDlmG_4YUlPN2NJ_619/s400/P4010131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459457081710766594" border="0" /></a>We've just entered into the little-known rainy season in Northern California, so we bundled up and went on a field trip to <span style="font-style: italic;">Magruder Ranch</span> -- a 5th generation family ranch that raises 100% grass-fed beef and lamb and acorn-finished pastured pork. The ranch supplies a number of restaurants in the Bay Area that pioneered the sustainable food movement, including Alice Waters' famous Chez Panisse in Berkeley.<br /><br />Located on a gorgeous 2400-acre property in Potter Valley, the Magruders are slowly converting their ranch into a retreat destination for rural weekend getaways and workshops on sustainable farming and cooking. We look forward to helping them transform their gorgeous property into a one-stop-shop for sustainable meats and retreats!<br /><br />Please visit their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/pages/Magruder-Ranch/260482504033?ref=ts">facebook page</a> to learn more about their vision and farming practices.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-12673661950480830822010-04-11T18:57:00.001-07:002010-04-12T09:32:57.148-07:00Children's Education<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAHB_cHR3iTf34bw9f9ZlkjtF1zP3DfUpm0UaKdq2nvJEHg1Aqg4La95Eat0us9SSHhIFlmPBsapvKNdecUZxppkY-Tvv-ADY10H8Ggrkky2iJcGsPYNyotdgijZ4Uxzekl1DYcIYxcii/s1600/P4070240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAHB_cHR3iTf34bw9f9ZlkjtF1zP3DfUpm0UaKdq2nvJEHg1Aqg4La95Eat0us9SSHhIFlmPBsapvKNdecUZxppkY-Tvv-ADY10H8Ggrkky2iJcGsPYNyotdgijZ4Uxzekl1DYcIYxcii/s400/P4070240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459071259812261762" border="0" /></a>Roasting marshmallows over a parabolic solar cooker...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwrsqTa5y2rDrTv-7NcuavObMXotxq88vKyjjJUvvcNKuX3Gz-ScnVEtTHg9hjYxyxDDmyNCKp47kU0oNboWdMdVgCirtz01fHZvpGiz3fBC_J8WyhU_u7o0hlGvY0EMktrPHaJ14SHyz/s1600/P4070241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwrsqTa5y2rDrTv-7NcuavObMXotxq88vKyjjJUvvcNKuX3Gz-ScnVEtTHg9hjYxyxDDmyNCKp47kU0oNboWdMdVgCirtz01fHZvpGiz3fBC_J8WyhU_u7o0hlGvY0EMktrPHaJ14SHyz/s400/P4070241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459071246623438082" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01Lr_-mSolD5FzZHUyMgV9dETDpQgLU-0cPwOu-95YYHSRjmWunA0Ab0tloc9o8N2_9xucq6185SDV_4XwPrDImWPIWtlCb-Dd4UoCbZVga_LgLgukSGdxfmGB2k5PvucdK_4L0ajDzLd/s1600/P4070221.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01Lr_-mSolD5FzZHUyMgV9dETDpQgLU-0cPwOu-95YYHSRjmWunA0Ab0tloc9o8N2_9xucq6185SDV_4XwPrDImWPIWtlCb-Dd4UoCbZVga_LgLgukSGdxfmGB2k5PvucdK_4L0ajDzLd/s400/P4070221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070916428310850" border="0" /></a>Learning about different solar ovens...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMy-4l67n9GNVvFN_cz6L4wyRPWWaB2ik2-fnuf68zs0sMnuZ1q1gwadXZbGD5qOj8EBDNnCwKDqTqVYKzfJ1sSmsEK-3H2HFDb5w301tpp8hlGPZyHSbRq7JY7pb5N4u9OKWN-o7vDLT/s1600/P4070188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMy-4l67n9GNVvFN_cz6L4wyRPWWaB2ik2-fnuf68zs0sMnuZ1q1gwadXZbGD5qOj8EBDNnCwKDqTqVYKzfJ1sSmsEK-3H2HFDb5w301tpp8hlGPZyHSbRq7JY7pb5N4u9OKWN-o7vDLT/s400/P4070188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070903409159122" border="0" /></a>Making cob bricks out of clay, straw, and gravel...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8LhWJx7-FpUWJvQuKuO2cXXpSfe9LkNt9ZM_Jaji31EKpiDRv1fyMFQDX-OZAqseKLqkWQsUUlmmH2grvDTKG4CNjm4RnyAJAiI21nNEQ7RvbvDhLGgwsQAuXst44ZgsvfJQxCGdsXYr/s1600/P4070190.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8LhWJx7-FpUWJvQuKuO2cXXpSfe9LkNt9ZM_Jaji31EKpiDRv1fyMFQDX-OZAqseKLqkWQsUUlmmH2grvDTKG4CNjm4RnyAJAiI21nNEQ7RvbvDhLGgwsQAuXst44ZgsvfJQxCGdsXYr/s400/P4070190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070898351261810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR1MI9GsqygRI4kcS1Y0Ih5-scQr5Kyw0K5Mr57sJO5RFZFGQPle9zDSfJVSdoWR8QwrkszMmSxpKiGvoICC5JafbHhKZF13jwtCpzpQuLlfrQLmhGWWD82UejTNNeb34JSRNlcgXKBJT/s1600/P4070218.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR1MI9GsqygRI4kcS1Y0Ih5-scQr5Kyw0K5Mr57sJO5RFZFGQPle9zDSfJVSdoWR8QwrkszMmSxpKiGvoICC5JafbHhKZF13jwtCpzpQuLlfrQLmhGWWD82UejTNNeb34JSRNlcgXKBJT/s400/P4070218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070886941610466" border="0" /></a>Throwing food scraps in the compost bin...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilift8hcWDen-ZST_51b2s19J4TI8nT6wQDcvoAZrq1PanDxSP67XCQuEREPLjx9rxqg4GLVRWfiJQwqfqWHVROQ-I2ZUj4FU_djOsNnVZMaYjx7OvJeCn4UUNmJQRO7nsMFaQsbHsp1Zd/s1600/P4070256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilift8hcWDen-ZST_51b2s19J4TI8nT6wQDcvoAZrq1PanDxSP67XCQuEREPLjx9rxqg4GLVRWfiJQwqfqWHVROQ-I2ZUj4FU_djOsNnVZMaYjx7OvJeCn4UUNmJQRO7nsMFaQsbHsp1Zd/s400/P4070256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070884338649074" border="0" /></a>Playing with solar panels...<br /><br /></div>We kicked off spring field trip season last week by hosting our first children's tour on site -- with 70 Grade 3 students from a local public school. We had the kids rotating through seven stations to get their hands dirty in a number of areas related to renewable energy and sustainable living: solar cooking, natural building, composting, chickens, solar electricity, gardening, and a ride on our solar-powered carousel. I had the great privilege of teaching the kids how to cook with a solar oven, demonstrating the power of the sun by roasting marshmallows over a parabolic (curved concentrating) solar cooker. Needless to say, it was the most rewarding experience I've had in awhile.<br /><br />p.s. For those friends who have expressed concern over the lack of variety in my wardrobe lately, I assure you that I don't wear overalls every day -- just on days when I happen to be photographed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-15915940573614897992010-04-01T20:49:00.000-07:002010-04-01T23:13:48.817-07:00How to Design and Install Off-Grid Solar Systems<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS_REWkDXTQFvPnDHrP00ZJmTnGe36YBbRzf-1eMVR9oPwaxE4wD4PEyOITvP274UjrYJk1mlfgAL8wdPtTyHD_zvWEMp8wYH-wikLoTmiqVn_PwJ7-SL59dIT_DuXbYbfyDnxozyeE2h/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS_REWkDXTQFvPnDHrP00ZJmTnGe36YBbRzf-1eMVR9oPwaxE4wD4PEyOITvP274UjrYJk1mlfgAL8wdPtTyHD_zvWEMp8wYH-wikLoTmiqVn_PwJ7-SL59dIT_DuXbYbfyDnxozyeE2h/s400/IMG_1059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455399668218448818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHEvnpVcYRM7DgXWICrXcT_82J4Q807qPfZJNBAWV77nVsFQVosbmTOWJ8t4QY20oOV6xOQVrslrE4o604ISbP_0w6cAEVBnxkUekkb7rg34THxlW3LOnhxeDTH1gQZgIpjqnUC90W10o/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHEvnpVcYRM7DgXWICrXcT_82J4Q807qPfZJNBAWV77nVsFQVosbmTOWJ8t4QY20oOV6xOQVrslrE4o604ISbP_0w6cAEVBnxkUekkb7rg34THxlW3LOnhxeDTH1gQZgIpjqnUC90W10o/s400/IMG_1062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455399660890204594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOPmJ5UXP32LOqL-flVHob-9A5LBjDVKEkGzbudcrgR9CztIwFpfr2UCTXUF7H4XBhJ4LDxy62BvyS3-5vatHA67TS3486GoG_ItqOjkbOqDm1LVOItMbVHfTtnqAIbpCijDI-rNIm7XV/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOPmJ5UXP32LOqL-flVHob-9A5LBjDVKEkGzbudcrgR9CztIwFpfr2UCTXUF7H4XBhJ4LDxy62BvyS3-5vatHA67TS3486GoG_ItqOjkbOqDm1LVOItMbVHfTtnqAIbpCijDI-rNIm7XV/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455399652025675586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5tMPoMgkDw-hY99G7B-KUCQkOXqzbrfTV04pewJ_LAaRsN8rDH1QerWcV-LopK84vBNf6H4qCmTUtm5uAl3RiZJEFOuitXSOqN74gOeIDohG2aYSLTdI-Cv2NZSJiW4vLlAwf-vuQ1TF/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5tMPoMgkDw-hY99G7B-KUCQkOXqzbrfTV04pewJ_LAaRsN8rDH1QerWcV-LopK84vBNf6H4qCmTUtm5uAl3RiZJEFOuitXSOqN74gOeIDohG2aYSLTdI-Cv2NZSJiW4vLlAwf-vuQ1TF/s400/IMG_1093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455399643882817026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-81vsTP6-g1vgFPc6Lgfvuuss61X-5iG3DfkMKBWO8XiAvyUGzfzrPSY0LWPetaKylGH08wOoIeMc4z_YT9bWK8uz5PPUrtE6T9BJCRE3ZluLUHXFw5RNlhCxjjq2VvBtUgXEZcOBBMj/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-81vsTP6-g1vgFPc6Lgfvuuss61X-5iG3DfkMKBWO8XiAvyUGzfzrPSY0LWPetaKylGH08wOoIeMc4z_YT9bWK8uz5PPUrtE6T9BJCRE3ZluLUHXFw5RNlhCxjjq2VvBtUgXEZcOBBMj/s400/IMG_1188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455399636709392434" /></a><br /><div>I started solar training this week with a two-day workshop on how to design and install an off-grid solar photovoltaic system. The highlight of the workshop was getting to know the 18 displaced and unemployed individuals participating in the <i>Solar for All California</i> program, which I wrote about a few postings back. During the breaks, I was able to chat with them to get a better sense of who they are and why they're participating in the program. Here are a few of my favourite stories:</div><div><br /></div>Verne was born and raised on a local aboriginal reservation. He's been driving trucks his whole life, delivering heavy goods along the I-5 from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, but recently had an accident on the road that's preventing him from continuing in this line of work. The combination of this accident and the arrival of his twin children provided the perfect opportunity to find a new job that will allow him to stay closer to home.<div><br /></div><div>Carlos was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico, but moved to California in his twenties to build a better life. For the last 16 years, he's been working at a rehabilitation centre for troubled youth, until funding dried up recently and he was laid off. He found out about the program through a local employment service centre, and thought it was a great opportunity to learn a new trade and make a difference in the world. </div><div><br /></div><div>Manny was born and raised in rural Nigeria, where most of his neighbours are not connected to the electricity grid. Those who are connected have sporadic service due to the inefficiency of the country's large state-owned electrical monopoly, which Manny says is corrupt and unreliable. He looks forward to taking the knowledge he acquires in this workshop back to Nigeria, where he hopes to start a small solar business to light up his community and improve the quality of life of his fellow citizens. </div><div><br /></div><div>A good friend of mine who works in the solar industry has asked for <i>more</i> tech talk in my blog postings, so I've included a photo of my notes from the in-class portion of the workshop. I am proud to say that I now understand the difference between a volt, amp, and watt; that I can confidently distinguish between poly/mono crystalline and thin-film solar modules; and that I know how to wire a solar panel in parallel or series configuration. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-68525415810562162362010-03-29T18:33:00.000-07:002010-03-29T20:26:39.477-07:00Emily Uses a Power Tool<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dygvMfUnnmF1V3mymy-Vi1pQ_2P68kQ7beklPnHS9N4Y1cmlCqWfW6nkGyOLHva3aJnsAtdfQzK_2HzX78iyQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-44885536614675496412010-03-28T19:53:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:11:55.802-07:00Montgomery Woods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7KnSg3bEHXkUkFFFCcWCod7grmeISpFXqKxWl-5mJAmgEbaPRdDUjgF9yfnsAtRoLBe54g0WcIL_L5EIC6sZGk87GCrrox854ChWgTkDegqf24Lttqt_PVMTJbGU2AKxMlthLyiKBL-y/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7KnSg3bEHXkUkFFFCcWCod7grmeISpFXqKxWl-5mJAmgEbaPRdDUjgF9yfnsAtRoLBe54g0WcIL_L5EIC6sZGk87GCrrox854ChWgTkDegqf24Lttqt_PVMTJbGU2AKxMlthLyiKBL-y/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454072937173793090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0z3OHjkF3rdIMEVQGdDZvyJolLf6YZwer95lYGbsoPoeGrwtYn7Lc0BOlH1QGGJennzERCmXhWBIE2y74-q-UECZv2PgVwCK-60r2Q0wYEzi1y1-Xi8faVU4aajKwqH9DyVje9suX87O/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0z3OHjkF3rdIMEVQGdDZvyJolLf6YZwer95lYGbsoPoeGrwtYn7Lc0BOlH1QGGJennzERCmXhWBIE2y74-q-UECZv2PgVwCK-60r2Q0wYEzi1y1-Xi8faVU4aajKwqH9DyVje9suX87O/s400/IMG_0949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454072925175783794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxjuJxQ7GPPZq6O1WCmW3C2WkmmxJm_MF_mY1BbRg10W66Gi-TiYhyphenhyphenkH7eb_yhBQvoDrfkJiK0o0iCB3NSwTx9wTIOhrY2zVJeXsIgxmDXxEMfJG_jG6thP-z0M0P0PxRHmR6GjhQ1It3/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxjuJxQ7GPPZq6O1WCmW3C2WkmmxJm_MF_mY1BbRg10W66Gi-TiYhyphenhyphenkH7eb_yhBQvoDrfkJiK0o0iCB3NSwTx9wTIOhrY2zVJeXsIgxmDXxEMfJG_jG6thP-z0M0P0PxRHmR6GjhQ1It3/s400/IMG_0983.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454072911428457666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvIMn0ZaswI3atMT7w4FCXlZh5E5umK7Vt5JwJlIDBBbx08gT3gRaH9sX28AgwME3VHhKavDH5pms5oyaWsmklCbzTcojyNA5vRf3XuYAPhQ-RBoMf1HFiI7Jmg7T2p8Q7sBADYhZUW8Y/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvIMn0ZaswI3atMT7w4FCXlZh5E5umK7Vt5JwJlIDBBbx08gT3gRaH9sX28AgwME3VHhKavDH5pms5oyaWsmklCbzTcojyNA5vRf3XuYAPhQ-RBoMf1HFiI7Jmg7T2p8Q7sBADYhZUW8Y/s400/IMG_1006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454072901400391154" /></a><br />This posting is dedicated to my dad -- nature photographer extraordinaire xo<div><br /></div><div>I met a farmer last week who explained to me why he'd recently made the move from Montana to the Golden State: "California is home to the world's oldest tree, the world's tallest tree, <i>and</i> the world's largest tree. Enough said."</div><div><br /></div><div>In this vein, I've decided to take a trip to all three, starting this past weekend with the world's tallest tree in Montgomery Woods State Reserve, about 25 miles northwest of Hopland. Towering at over 360 feet tall, these giant Redwoods reach for the sky like peaks of a cathedral. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-7181439288842301632010-03-25T12:29:00.000-07:002010-03-25T12:44:59.389-07:00Solar for All<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHLC-CPorCp0s8yIk7rSd-CfvCIMpPa-24WvyZojwt5JlYA0imWNIGs_lPs5p2LuzJNLSPBF-_3KOlTfww5UQhv1vLZC61aUwQWi0PjC0cJbgZJuUC9g0G5L5JGmG1E3ScHBsR1SMCwmP/s1600/Thermal+and+PV.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHLC-CPorCp0s8yIk7rSd-CfvCIMpPa-24WvyZojwt5JlYA0imWNIGs_lPs5p2LuzJNLSPBF-_3KOlTfww5UQhv1vLZC61aUwQWi0PjC0cJbgZJuUC9g0G5L5JGmG1E3ScHBsR1SMCwmP/s400/Thermal+and+PV.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452657101081989106" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Since I haven’t written about anything policy-related yet, I would like to profile an exciting new initiative that we’ll be launching next week at the Solar Living Institute. First off, I get very excited about the prospect of using renewable energy to fulfill social policy objectives. There are a number of reasons why I am drawn to renewable energy, most of which have to do with economic and environmental issues. But with the right mix of idealism and pragmatism, I believe that renewable energy can also be a powerful social policy tool by reducing utility bills, contributing to a healthier and cleaner local environment, and functioning as a source of community building and empowerment – all of which have important effects on overall quality of life. With this in mind, I am thrilled that the SLI is participating in a new project called <i>Solar for All California</i></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">, which will train a group of 18 displaced and unemployed individuals (50% from local aboriginal groups) to install 3 kW solar PV systems on 150 low-income single family homes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The project is being coordinated by North Coast Energy Services (NCES), the LIHEAP (i.e. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) provider for seven counties in Northern California – and includes a collaborative team of local governments, solar companies, non-profits, economic development organizations, and local aboriginal groups. The SLI is providing the training and certification for the 18 individuals selected for the installation component, and Real Goods Solar (SLI’s partner company) will be installing the systems and hiring the trainees as full-time employees after project completion. Funding for the project came from the Department of Community Services and Development, State of California.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">In addition to the socio-economic benefits associated with the project, the solar installations (and some weatherization measures) are expected to generate a 50-90% reduction in energy consumption per household, and result in a carbon emission reduction equivalent to removing 3300 cars from the road!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-46651119703591945272010-03-23T21:33:00.000-07:002010-03-23T22:17:50.667-07:00Meet the Chickens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySiLd2IEBkQyuwMi5ePk0NiZ1ycK9_3wjYv5hHZeAzZ4JsNq8aCNg2jJRL8YJR3au2F47e7CT_vWqUGraJ5J_1H-vaMpO4UU6F-zQtJxWq45WQOhtf7VUFLSaR0txveFSsD8bON2Dc7IH/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySiLd2IEBkQyuwMi5ePk0NiZ1ycK9_3wjYv5hHZeAzZ4JsNq8aCNg2jJRL8YJR3au2F47e7CT_vWqUGraJ5J_1H-vaMpO4UU6F-zQtJxWq45WQOhtf7VUFLSaR0txveFSsD8bON2Dc7IH/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452064743722580754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rosalina and Sheila</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIoQ75Wxmz5DhtMFNIgQmR1JjDIRGMrhN474YZROYr1rvXP3D_4WyPCfmidq-Ax6jO9DTszHGb6Z6oSaou2PZIM4eC8mddPPEQbg6oC1tLpDdJrdVUfOM_nfz17SqaRtvh7BXuCfunFhf/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 367px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIoQ75Wxmz5DhtMFNIgQmR1JjDIRGMrhN474YZROYr1rvXP3D_4WyPCfmidq-Ax6jO9DTszHGb6Z6oSaou2PZIM4eC8mddPPEQbg6oC1tLpDdJrdVUfOM_nfz17SqaRtvh7BXuCfunFhf/s400/IMG_0492.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452064736240935570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rosalina and Sheila</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyWYdncQw4NncI40H5UP9ChdV76KjTYr1saJ5Y4mpyE0Qqe98UlPOQVn8fhgrYhjivs2mVlZhon0gVY1ZRlOfAz6bCqKWS5W_o0LqbeMFCBBccgLpw7Au144Lw4IiI510iJw3dtwZNLA1/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyWYdncQw4NncI40H5UP9ChdV76KjTYr1saJ5Y4mpyE0Qqe98UlPOQVn8fhgrYhjivs2mVlZhon0gVY1ZRlOfAz6bCqKWS5W_o0LqbeMFCBBccgLpw7Au144Lw4IiI510iJw3dtwZNLA1/s400/IMG_0847.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452064726950668434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Wisconsin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S3Dg5KG_sj1cF9-GwvNn-Y8CsrD-wyRJCBGE1LwXbXihsX0D4Adnx76SELeQYbjM5sWD7Sc_18vZk9_mGM5opqh76w3GIAV82iwLp84EuwAdKK_cjuWiDBo0iPR3Gyk-Ut7FxtDjw8AE/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S3Dg5KG_sj1cF9-GwvNn-Y8CsrD-wyRJCBGE1LwXbXihsX0D4Adnx76SELeQYbjM5sWD7Sc_18vZk9_mGM5opqh76w3GIAV82iwLp84EuwAdKK_cjuWiDBo0iPR3Gyk-Ut7FxtDjw8AE/s400/IMG_0739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452064718611489986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Twins</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq9GP3zzgwwawashjaWnzS22n4Uq6JdZ8Baud19WhEVj9U6GAdVV7iJm6kuEUJNqpH8Xps8v0Zjtd6sFQt73KnYO3uuD7gP9UjrCXb925nYTRQprnvch2zjZOkYq80D7tAuu-xKR7BAZa/s1600-h/IMG_0806.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 369px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq9GP3zzgwwawashjaWnzS22n4Uq6JdZ8Baud19WhEVj9U6GAdVV7iJm6kuEUJNqpH8Xps8v0Zjtd6sFQt73KnYO3uuD7gP9UjrCXb925nYTRQprnvch2zjZOkYq80D7tAuu-xKR7BAZa/s400/IMG_0806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452059276601413938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rosalina and Carmelita </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZHaZ4RhhueVFBL0yTEwDfPkLClLjByentLebkIuygo2thZLz-aS_E2CbgQhptG8kqjX-YcFw-uDncgSfAZTM3lb9ZZOe1rb_MHFES0x39Y7okqxVx3eyeBUBazMUuMOF7JbboLsPv0MN/s1600-h/IMG_0898.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZHaZ4RhhueVFBL0yTEwDfPkLClLjByentLebkIuygo2thZLz-aS_E2CbgQhptG8kqjX-YcFw-uDncgSfAZTM3lb9ZZOe1rb_MHFES0x39Y7okqxVx3eyeBUBazMUuMOF7JbboLsPv0MN/s400/IMG_0898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452059271691873746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ol' Crooked Leg</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWRT-W_SPrgDJQoueDhrSk1pHm9SWzi3a1t7JIet4wT5b6ZODuy3DEPpg4XGajgM4JUOnSLw5IvYblR51VLE7LeTViToqGcjMMMBPTyJpt__kQOQnCaVKdmqsGnhGbZgunfS4p8X4w5-v/s1600-h/IMG_0747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWRT-W_SPrgDJQoueDhrSk1pHm9SWzi3a1t7JIet4wT5b6ZODuy3DEPpg4XGajgM4JUOnSLw5IvYblR51VLE7LeTViToqGcjMMMBPTyJpt__kQOQnCaVKdmqsGnhGbZgunfS4p8X4w5-v/s400/IMG_0747.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452059261409890834" /></a><br />It's my first week on chicken duty, and I've spent most of my early mornings shooting portraits of them. On a daily basis, the chickens supply us with over a dozen of the most delicious eggs I have ever tasted. They also provide an endless source of entertainment throughout the day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-37587729533899355542010-03-22T20:57:00.000-07:002010-03-22T22:33:07.257-07:00San Francisco Farmer's Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEzDzokvl1y8Eu9NDcOr7ZUyDUt7eMVX-QcfRlz3X8aePQvbUF0z6mPUOHv7UeGUiJswBw-BM523VlLWe08awZvuQs7PV9PfhP_KJbCvHDcWdBBe2pkvS4fwRuGVU0FCkMnRwggvny45l/s1600-h/IMG_0703.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEzDzokvl1y8Eu9NDcOr7ZUyDUt7eMVX-QcfRlz3X8aePQvbUF0z6mPUOHv7UeGUiJswBw-BM523VlLWe08awZvuQs7PV9PfhP_KJbCvHDcWdBBe2pkvS4fwRuGVU0FCkMnRwggvny45l/s400/IMG_0703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451689389674355330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhmVQBxGWUQad_3OIK_WFeAVnEL9rWVeuCcjQEmIU0S8ZUuX8hnl882Fmzwuc-7G_WD4s21CO2-I3wUfD2lZGh526OkuoS30xkmWh_SO-8HnqGYZ1y94Vte3zPQ1KtSfwmKkzV9v20_rJ/s1600-h/IMG_0661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhmVQBxGWUQad_3OIK_WFeAVnEL9rWVeuCcjQEmIU0S8ZUuX8hnl882Fmzwuc-7G_WD4s21CO2-I3wUfD2lZGh526OkuoS30xkmWh_SO-8HnqGYZ1y94Vte3zPQ1KtSfwmKkzV9v20_rJ/s400/IMG_0661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451689379764963602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMExBiVrd_cmxjP4j9o7v1i-nEbcJpyyFKispIVgpf2UyzSB6Qc2ckt4VaHq0RsPuX0cOHRZGqbQptvOcW-cZ6up7x2T7xhZHp2FpDrwI7D_fRexe-1Nd6aFd1UIqLIuI1kzN0znqG3BC/s1600-h/IMG_0730.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMExBiVrd_cmxjP4j9o7v1i-nEbcJpyyFKispIVgpf2UyzSB6Qc2ckt4VaHq0RsPuX0cOHRZGqbQptvOcW-cZ6up7x2T7xhZHp2FpDrwI7D_fRexe-1Nd6aFd1UIqLIuI1kzN0znqG3BC/s400/IMG_0730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451689375236216162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9LL8rJPaJ4hfwvwonr0wRKHboAtF4DwR-X09LLMJ7M4RgaHEqbqogNtSnWSQy9AwKtuAEHrgQq34wVrtwtFJ5yI4CafxdIGAp_WIYOHeBH9BlzMOEPnxjOxp9qANCoYfFBhq7JXGSLBB/s1600-h/IMG_0657.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq14kQRJdhimBC85gSSrIZvu8ZqsulmWdGv3Qj9eExoRu0G6aF2Mmxa1cSG0X3IQJyAstqwo4iJ2FJOcq8rZi-HFv4BI6rJYaKRDF7hZgp7jVS0HBx2ULV7IVW1Al_nbnaj0_eRcC4a8AX/s400/IMG_0710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451687008271837570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGId5omHhhLuv4pgXHQeoTRSa_PV5qD3VuxbeRXwjMs2wKljKN6sXibTkqrHYiHRbqqJ-YpogDrw4-nqM6nqyPj4o8UjGx_71l2YUZja7WIXCFYJgnY6LaDiEE3yuS42B6Km86XYAGj5Nc/s1600-h/IMG_0685.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGId5omHhhLuv4pgXHQeoTRSa_PV5qD3VuxbeRXwjMs2wKljKN6sXibTkqrHYiHRbqqJ-YpogDrw4-nqM6nqyPj4o8UjGx_71l2YUZja7WIXCFYJgnY6LaDiEE3yuS42B6Km86XYAGj5Nc/s400/IMG_0685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451686999841022882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wg7Y-Eey1sS5wUScvFvn-anD7t_S7uSs5TifZXFNZg4VpPAfjyt1YBJsATe96uVlE2X5v6COR812YIUnqdmqeke8-Q5_mwrjMO-JvuB48gSQa_XVsaxyM0sUy3IrfnPVQ1YBfFB3fKJg/s1600-h/IMG_0696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wg7Y-Eey1sS5wUScvFvn-anD7t_S7uSs5TifZXFNZg4VpPAfjyt1YBJsATe96uVlE2X5v6COR812YIUnqdmqeke8-Q5_mwrjMO-JvuB48gSQa_XVsaxyM0sUy3IrfnPVQ1YBfFB3fKJg/s400/IMG_0696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451686173574904642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwiL1oc03u-QMwAPzBjnoswPNyM7oU-30GFcA0wMOTjrB6-bEzQVZS0zTCOCxXUUdlekg3dpVzE0ArLo9EMXplUtnE6NwrroZHg6Cvp0wMpuy6HqL7inYc7vL5s5ABxOz7sbtPx0hloQO/s1600-h/IMG_0680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwiL1oc03u-QMwAPzBjnoswPNyM7oU-30GFcA0wMOTjrB6-bEzQVZS0zTCOCxXUUdlekg3dpVzE0ArLo9EMXplUtnE6NwrroZHg6Cvp0wMpuy6HqL7inYc7vL5s5ABxOz7sbtPx0hloQO/s400/IMG_0680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451686166169402466" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>One of the first places I like to go when visiting a new city is the local farmer's market, which is often a microcosm of the city's values, practices, and beliefs. The Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market in San Francisco is undoubtedly the most stylish farmer's market I have ever been to (take that, Prenzlauer Berg!) The market is run by the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA) -- a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a sustainable food system. After waiting in the half-hour lineup for the trendiest cup of organic coffee in San Francisco (this place epitomizes the concept of <i>slow food </i>-- they french press AND filter each cup of coffee individually!), I fluttered from one vendor to the next, admiring the design of the signage and labeling attached to each stand and food item. I would seriously recommend this place just for the signs and labels. Which one is your favourite?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-15107615218340225992010-03-14T21:00:00.001-07:002010-03-14T22:54:46.795-07:00Daylight Savings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv_1getbcgeSDD3nhOIYQ1sPBeuyqIFUIdX3val83JFyyIo39TPdchwxMJFTARz1grHsCMen6SXAkuxCuT6b4Fc6bMGJxj5sxu0Odm9ee4d36izWif5sy3uMm5rXZ6X1c22DwUO_QBT4g/s1600-h/IMG_0505.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv_1getbcgeSDD3nhOIYQ1sPBeuyqIFUIdX3val83JFyyIo39TPdchwxMJFTARz1grHsCMen6SXAkuxCuT6b4Fc6bMGJxj5sxu0Odm9ee4d36izWif5sy3uMm5rXZ6X1c22DwUO_QBT4g/s400/IMG_0505.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448708229223749442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27Z0zAt75o_lM2ohyphenhyphen_JJ2G56Uga4LvQwzBb1AifEo7mc5Q_mc54ibJdjDxRj6FI3DJPAdIMnhvnbTJhGyDcgehY2b3OZLhQA69tFApEgzY7kNmg5nisBW2QPpxpxSb2ti0Yf0FUZNfkyw/s1600-h/IMG_0510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27Z0zAt75o_lM2ohyphenhyphen_JJ2G56Uga4LvQwzBb1AifEo7mc5Q_mc54ibJdjDxRj6FI3DJPAdIMnhvnbTJhGyDcgehY2b3OZLhQA69tFApEgzY7kNmg5nisBW2QPpxpxSb2ti0Yf0FUZNfkyw/s400/IMG_0510.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448708207352322194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hDjcLMJKx0zyc0YDC52pASdRvxrB-uFeLGCwzvaTZsETOnGRdr8ZrgHBicdpdXQdD0f5KYPVLfqfXPEQ1ucZ9JRCKXUEdZpTlU4dAO1deCbCXAJuX-FaVGESAFRtQvjmqMtcOldUNYnh/s1600-h/IMG_0536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hDjcLMJKx0zyc0YDC52pASdRvxrB-uFeLGCwzvaTZsETOnGRdr8ZrgHBicdpdXQdD0f5KYPVLfqfXPEQ1ucZ9JRCKXUEdZpTlU4dAO1deCbCXAJuX-FaVGESAFRtQvjmqMtcOldUNYnh/s400/IMG_0536.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448708202207341794" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjwqEI-eSi3lre3GGhOXD1efpxNBOUKf1t2q_BvHOLB9XH3RV_AHFwyDBpsPgGTLNL-Xx6ShzcnD5YnfYfHrE0IiseDVypN4okp7tG4k5lvy_2a2abCbT7j6WpE2kMERsMUo6GmD6yfWb/s1600-h/IMG_0569.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeN7NrPaq8c4v-Ib09J_TmjpoV4laaHtk0lDIuA3jGXjQwdRUDq5789GIlFiytKWsqskrBGnWI-L0cZeTTbUtgzSztkGN2VeaPtizdOjz4EOxVhw80koU_tMH7jyIi9KuhFwnHYGH7AMK/s400/IMG_0601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448706941856911090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSoMwAgT3CmwPoDlLgr4o3nlpdOLpfZQLD9yp0hDrY9KNzlUWwdm2yiv1RJrIKGBmRcPFB-QQPgyOHHyWonxY1MNdWICwa9Ob-nr7D0gcK_v8FVI-hkOao0XO1-t682XEO62BY-bWnN_4/s1600-h/IMG_0592.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSoMwAgT3CmwPoDlLgr4o3nlpdOLpfZQLD9yp0hDrY9KNzlUWwdm2yiv1RJrIKGBmRcPFB-QQPgyOHHyWonxY1MNdWICwa9Ob-nr7D0gcK_v8FVI-hkOao0XO1-t682XEO62BY-bWnN_4/s400/IMG_0592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448706933477846386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDbMjpB9lHSnVBw0ZU2JnjZDeBqsdfPUU29hVdAemgnp1-HG6ojTztr8q7_XzLA7mt9DoP4Z-c8gzS2-ixpDgQ8tL1cnsUeSGoCpAds6-BjxEdl4hHDtDgtScrNAfWQIPMAX3ENGkkX1E/s1600-h/IMG_0623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDbMjpB9lHSnVBw0ZU2JnjZDeBqsdfPUU29hVdAemgnp1-HG6ojTztr8q7_XzLA7mt9DoP4Z-c8gzS2-ixpDgQ8tL1cnsUeSGoCpAds6-BjxEdl4hHDtDgtScrNAfWQIPMAX3ENGkkX1E/s400/IMG_0623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448706921247542818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcCZ7Xf3RMLXOr_wTj3stLuwPbiD74tMHZBabryHGa5KAPHrQ6H5UG_AIscZzBVK5OXqyeB1hQsvjDRtj51YGUf5ABmoomeokDx-xr-nv3koTj66vTjqCyEjcMCXRhtH4tVu1yLOWEtKg/s1600-h/IMG_0573.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcCZ7Xf3RMLXOr_wTj3stLuwPbiD74tMHZBabryHGa5KAPHrQ6H5UG_AIscZzBVK5OXqyeB1hQsvjDRtj51YGUf5ABmoomeokDx-xr-nv3koTj66vTjqCyEjcMCXRhtH4tVu1yLOWEtKg/s400/IMG_0573.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448706911711882674" /></a><br />A few people have asked for more photos of the Solar Living Centre, so I've posted some of my favourite on-site features. Solar 2000 is our 132 kilowatt solar array that straddles the south side of our property and a neighbouring vineyard. It was the first grid-connected solar array built in California to sell exclusively into the deregulated electricity market of the late 1990s, and is my all-time favourite backdrop for photo shoots. In addition to Solar 2000, the property has a number of off-grid solar photovoltaic and thermal panels that supply clean energy and heat to the SLI offices and the Real Goods flagship store, which is the centre piece of our property. <div><br /></div><div>The Real Goods store is located in the central oasis and was built to maximize the use of passive solar design -- in the summer months, the building is shielded from the intense summer sun through a combination of overhangs, outdoor grape arbors, and a central fountain with a "drip ring" that provides evaporative cooling qualities. In the winter months, the building is insulated from the outdoor air through super-insulating straw bale walls. <div><br /></div><div>The north side of our property contains a beautiful organic garden where we celebrated daylight savings tonight by transplanting baby radishes from our greenhouse into our freshly dug garden beds. Next to the garden is our heart-shaped pond (I am not joking) that is home to a number of friendly ducks, including Frank who is pictured above. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-88496321959715919552010-03-10T19:04:00.000-08:002010-03-10T19:36:47.387-08:00How to Make and Use Biodiesel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSNLKitXNgHNveFXJiI9I7TCBkh0aUH7WEJtujiiN7-cIuZ1pNfzgQLsq4RdUGWE5xifv2QBSgNBnJ8kTbMPuDwVMBV4Iy8usoUL2XMXXV71D_AomPD-2sGlE6wgkxw6XZ-NXkXs9BuG3/s1600-h/IMG_0483.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSNLKitXNgHNveFXJiI9I7TCBkh0aUH7WEJtujiiN7-cIuZ1pNfzgQLsq4RdUGWE5xifv2QBSgNBnJ8kTbMPuDwVMBV4Iy8usoUL2XMXXV71D_AomPD-2sGlE6wgkxw6XZ-NXkXs9BuG3/s400/IMG_0483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447213809863188466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbMqs699VmD6lpQQxORcPrQY2Ei-pqVwn8VIzbAU9PeStReenOviQueU6vAewJ0Yy8Cp0rHg5yKdC5g5wLWSoJ_gJe75ktg6x29XCij2lmL3fPX3hXgypCFJUlKx8ON7ql3zsQM-ixEWH/s1600-h/IMG_0474.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbMqs699VmD6lpQQxORcPrQY2Ei-pqVwn8VIzbAU9PeStReenOviQueU6vAewJ0Yy8Cp0rHg5yKdC5g5wLWSoJ_gJe75ktg6x29XCij2lmL3fPX3hXgypCFJUlKx8ON7ql3zsQM-ixEWH/s400/IMG_0474.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447213795678046834" /></a><br />To celebrate my new driver's license, I took my first SLI workshop today on how to make and use biodiesel out of recycled vegetable oil. Recycled oil can be converted to biodiesel in a fairly simple process that is similar to making soap -- you simply mix the oil with a bit of methanol and potassium hydroxide to create a chemical reaction that produces fuel for use in diesel engines. Diesel engines are generally more efficient and long-lasting than regular gasoline engines, and making your own biodiesel (or sourcing from a local producer) is a far more sustainable option than fueling up the standard way. Also, using recycled waste products (from restaurants, etc.) means that you can avoid the long-standing debate over whether to use/displace valuable cropland for fuel production.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-49174014327975378602010-03-08T07:51:00.000-08:002010-03-08T08:18:55.099-08:00Bee Keeping, Tree Hugging, Whale Watching<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSGmchuPvrcj3nkLRkN37Kfd_tMYgIa71iPvomQdY5eL70d0afSOQT2XPYEpISh90TTUtgMpiNtAQVHh8L6NFnaVys1IjQVc2JT4l_azStBOmp22XiQmliXSu3IYeTQlQ_Mzf1T3I0ens/s1600-h/IMG_0295.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSGmchuPvrcj3nkLRkN37Kfd_tMYgIa71iPvomQdY5eL70d0afSOQT2XPYEpISh90TTUtgMpiNtAQVHh8L6NFnaVys1IjQVc2JT4l_azStBOmp22XiQmliXSu3IYeTQlQ_Mzf1T3I0ens/s400/IMG_0295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446294702286197586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinupBsH0uI_U4HXIICJkT7MiGSEWdwsl8L6JFUC9kmEwgf5zw6SgrPO86nJQuRMDJgpr97SxKgcnaegXEZ2ur7kV5DHkaB39mUeXNUXkSstjof1-9O9fgEnLaSEJCTRADBMSLImi48k0_c/s1600-h/IMG_0232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinupBsH0uI_U4HXIICJkT7MiGSEWdwsl8L6JFUC9kmEwgf5zw6SgrPO86nJQuRMDJgpr97SxKgcnaegXEZ2ur7kV5DHkaB39mUeXNUXkSstjof1-9O9fgEnLaSEJCTRADBMSLImi48k0_c/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446294278841204034" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwnfsO7LGDbuMTYDPd6j-IuJaQPuHr5W746FugLPuSsJugHf9mfm-1OhCsRUrjhio1QtHjHhOjP7_uRiwv0QNRkjNm9MqR3r7gtb4Gqvc67c4lDqduoWBfCtQm_Urox3W1Lm0PvT4DDW_/s1600-h/IMG_0216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwnfsO7LGDbuMTYDPd6j-IuJaQPuHr5W746FugLPuSsJugHf9mfm-1OhCsRUrjhio1QtHjHhOjP7_uRiwv0QNRkjNm9MqR3r7gtb4Gqvc67c4lDqduoWBfCtQm_Urox3W1Lm0PvT4DDW_/s400/IMG_0216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446293337646676066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQu_lMfoqAJ76tqLJhGRnzdqiDhXpQcwzVMh5kY0Rtk_iKnR2o7auBU4ogfJLbEgCP9Iv9ji0cEzLcZYbHYD9t9VF1rx2_ETqFZi1UWCTFHrD6FXH_hcBTlBBElVV7QBJ28Hw62w_p1_Hy/s1600-h/IMG_0202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQu_lMfoqAJ76tqLJhGRnzdqiDhXpQcwzVMh5kY0Rtk_iKnR2o7auBU4ogfJLbEgCP9Iv9ji0cEzLcZYbHYD9t9VF1rx2_ETqFZi1UWCTFHrD6FXH_hcBTlBBElVV7QBJ28Hw62w_p1_Hy/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446293331625535266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_9D8k15smlGv-OTYY3OI5P0BIKpvqbySPyrVSSSXczeqon3WWZG4uvVutgW0yLX0_RgQxkFJQ632uXyPBwWj6jmIo3G9n5W7UarDwDHeOYtfbJ7UzcIlgQWU6vBbO0C3roHXe-d6Uqg/s1600-h/IMG_0379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_9D8k15smlGv-OTYY3OI5P0BIKpvqbySPyrVSSSXczeqon3WWZG4uvVutgW0yLX0_RgQxkFJQ632uXyPBwWj6jmIo3G9n5W7UarDwDHeOYtfbJ7UzcIlgQWU6vBbO0C3roHXe-d6Uqg/s400/IMG_0379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446293318060073650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn0g6ZbfSLeGPNpOReivW4L16tqI0S87qWHKu787oZ-UTG3Dmzs4xQhne35MMlzc-38BoVfMAoA3dbIfcHefWquGqVVA2e6Galr_iaZL6IcHYmB38v479cA55iIVXKhrK6hzlhtNWaxva/s1600-h/IMG_0334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn0g6ZbfSLeGPNpOReivW4L16tqI0S87qWHKu787oZ-UTG3Dmzs4xQhne35MMlzc-38BoVfMAoA3dbIfcHefWquGqVVA2e6Galr_iaZL6IcHYmB38v479cA55iIVXKhrK6hzlhtNWaxva/s400/IMG_0334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446293307294652370" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friday was our first community orientation day, and we spent the morning learning about our on-site organic/biodynamic garden that supplies the interns and staff with most of their food. I assumed there would be some lettuce and a few fresh herbs, but I wasn't prepared for artichokes, asparagus, peaches, pears, cherries, plums, quince, chard, kale, beets, garlic, and an entire mini-forest of pecan trees and blueberry bushes! In the afternoon, we got started on weeding the asparagus bed and snacked on a few stray stalks in the process.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Saturday morning, we drove out to John Shaeffer's property (i.e. Founder of the Solar Living Institute) to help with some bee maintenance in anticipation of an upcoming workshop where we'll be separating a bee colony into two. John's house was spectacular -- completely off-grid and constructed with super-insulating rastra blocks that are made from 85% recycled styrofoam and 15% concrete. The home's clean energy comes from a few rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels as well as a mini-hydro source from a nearby creek. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Sunday morning, we drove through the Navarro River Redwood Forest to the Mendocino Coast for the annual Whale Festival, where some 20,000 gray whales migrate north from the birthing grounds in Mexico to their winter home in Alaska. We didn't see any whales, but had an incredible picnic on the coast!</span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759097167031134763.post-58925695972872399112010-03-05T07:59:00.001-08:002010-03-05T08:34:26.500-08:00First Impressions<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3eVvxrdjSYs71mT9rmDj_7fQGWUeep51aNjbeY07wv8bMuypsIiInNm5T_pJqIrcccheQsnbpEdk9ghOM0INXlhGyUWeHGF9FL7ay4clvwNQ05JKnaC_iTVq0-EqY2XZ-r__1hhJj1MV/s1600-h/IMG_0150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3eVvxrdjSYs71mT9rmDj_7fQGWUeep51aNjbeY07wv8bMuypsIiInNm5T_pJqIrcccheQsnbpEdk9ghOM0INXlhGyUWeHGF9FL7ay4clvwNQ05JKnaC_iTVq0-EqY2XZ-r__1hhJj1MV/s400/IMG_0150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445185347379534386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr44CbCpHsL9e7faWhz2jxXdkUuGoZgnrhiw78XAqqaEIebXy1mwb4rKu8EwKOB3u0LeqY91_3unKi1zTw5l8kduuMUOBaAVIEHpWckm31bnKRMfhWAozLZO_kPWHzlVVt1cZPOjfO9lY/s1600-h/IMG_0127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr44CbCpHsL9e7faWhz2jxXdkUuGoZgnrhiw78XAqqaEIebXy1mwb4rKu8EwKOB3u0LeqY91_3unKi1zTw5l8kduuMUOBaAVIEHpWckm31bnKRMfhWAozLZO_kPWHzlVVt1cZPOjfO9lY/s400/IMG_0127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445185331353432850" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After three days of customs issues, I finally arrived at the Solar Living Institute around 3:00 yesterday morning and slipped right into bed in my new passive solar straw bale cabin. When I woke up in the morning, I was struck by the beauty of the land and the design of the space that I will be living and working in. The SLI is a gorgeous 12-acre permaculture oasis surrounded by organic vineyards in a fertile valley along the Russian River. The site itself is designed to showcase a variety of renewable energy technologies, including a 132 kW solar array that supplies the site with most of its clean energy. Just down the railroad tracks, the town of Hopland has a population of 800 but still manages to have about 10 wine tasting rooms and a local brew pub!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5