With temperatures soaring lately, it feels as though summer’s finally come.  We can shake off the shackles of limiting our seasonal menus to forced greens, potatoes, and jams from last year, and start thinking about what’s ready now.  When I think of summer, I know that one fruit in particular leaps to the forefront of my culinary imagination:  the strawberry. More...

We've all heard about Oprah's 21 Day Cleanse, which calls for veganism. But for the  newbies, the limited recipes listed on her website are not going to cut it for 21 days or longer. Vegans, thankfully, have started a slew of excellent online food blogs. I've rounded up my favorites to take you through your day, from lunch to dinner party, and from  BBQ to birthday. More...

Check out this nifty illustration of household plants and the common household toxins they filter from Good Magazine. The strangest is benzene, which causes drowsiness and vomiting but "has a pleasant smell, which is why it used to be a common ingredient in aftershave." According to the graph, benzene is now present in detergents, synthetic fibers and inks and can be countered with Peace Lily and Chrysanthemum. I'm pleased to already own a Maginata, a pretty bright green plant that helps mollify both benzene and trichloroethylene, which causes long-term damage to the liver and is present in dry cleaning and paint. Quick, someone send me some Gerbera Daisies!

Find a nursery near you in our green directory.

via inhabitat. More...

The California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism has introduced a new program to get kids outside and exercising called the California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights. The list of 10 activities is full of throw-backs to The Sandlot days, with charming and simple actions every kid should take by the age of 14. Adults could benefit from the list, too. When was the last time you followed a trail? Read on for the full list. More...

I moved to Portland for two reasons: 1) so I could commute by bike, and 2) so I could work with trash and recycling.  Imagine my joy last weekend when I met Graham Bergh, the founder and president of Resource Revival, Inc. -- a company that makes bottle openers, pictures frames, clocks, wine racks and signs out of old bike parts (mostly chains and cogs).  They give new meaning to re-cycling, and local bike shops are getting in on the action with your donated parts. More...

If you browse blogs, listen to NPR or read major newspapers, you've probably heard of the blog Stuff White People Like. It's brutally funny, and hits home in a way that both hurts and feels good to acknowledge. Going about my day I've started having thoughts of, "that's totally Stuff White People Like!" Here's the results of a quick scan of the blog's take on my favorite green topics, with excerpts and links to the topic page on the original blog.

#5 Farmer's Markets: "White people like Farmers Markets for a number of reasons. The first is their undying need to support local economies (see future post), and the idea of buying direct from the farmer helps them assuage the fears instilled in them from reading Fast Food Nation (and yes, every white person has read this book)...If they are single, this is a good place to meet other single white people who share their passion for sustainability."

#6 Organic Food: "When faced with eating food that has been processed and loaded with nitrates, sodium and saturated fat, or organic rat poison, 10/10 they will take the rat poison."

#48 Whole Foods & Grocery Co-ops: "White people need organic food to survive, and where they purchase this food is as important as what they purchase. In modern white person culture, Whole Foods has replaces churches and cathedrals as the most important and relevant buildings in the community....

These stores are excellent for bringing children, as there is nothing that they actually want.

“Oh, mommy, look chocolate!”

“No Joshua, that’s carob.”

“I want it.”

“Ok.”

The child will then take a bite and realize that nothing in the store can be trusted."

#60 Toyota Prius: "The Prius might be the most perfect white product ever.  It’s expensive, gives the idea that you are helping the environment, and requires no commitment/changes other than money...There are a few ways you can use this to your advantage.  If you are carpooling to an event or party you can always say “can we take your Prius? my car doesn’t get good mileage and I feel guilty driving it.”  And bam! Free ride!"

#61 Bicycles: "The combination of rare bicycles and expensive parts makes it easy for white people to judge other white people on the quality and originality of their bicycles. This is important in determining if someone is or isn’t cooler than you. And of course, it goes without saying that white people who ride bikes like to talk about how they are saving the earth. If you know a person who rides to work, you should take them aside and say “Hey, thanks. Sincerely, The Earth.” Then give a thumbs up. That white person will ride home on a cloud."

#64 Recycling: "Recycling is a part of a larger theme of stuff white people like: saving the earth without having to do that much. Recycling is fantastic! You can still buy all the stuff you like (bottled water, beer, wine, organic iced tea, and cans of all varieties) and then when you’re done you just put it in a DIFFERENT bin than where you would throw your other garbage. And boom! Environment saved! Everyone feels great, it’s so easy!"

#76 Bottles of Water: "Currently, white people on the cutting edge are really into metal bottles of water with a twist cap. It is recommended that you buy one of these as soon as possible. Having one will give you precious leverage over any white person who is drinking from a plastic bottle. “Oh bottled water? really? I mean it’s cool, but I kind of thought you cared about the earth.” If you see someone drinking a Fiji water, you do have the opportunity to go in for the kill. “Do you know that your bottle of water has a bigger carbon footprint than me?"

Naturally, #44 is Public Radio. Listen to the NPR interview with the writer of Stuff White People Like here.

Now I think I have to start a blog about stuff green people like...suggestions? More...

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EcoMetro Calendar

Solar Celebration and Solar Panel Exhibit Unveiling
Feb 16
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland
11:30am-12:30pm
Join us for the unveiling of Chabot's new solar panel exhibit in partnership with PG&E's solar schools program. See how Chabot's solar panel generates renewable energy. Enjoy hands-on activities centered around solar energy. They will raffle two Solio solar chargers for handheld electronics, enjoy snacks made in solar ovens. Make solar crafts and lots of other heliocentric fun! Free with general admission.
Use your EcoMetro coupon for 2 for 1 admission.

East Bay Green Drinks
Feb 20
Bobby G’s Pizzeria
2072 University Avenue, Berkeley
5:30pm-7:25pm    
A great mixer for anyone interested in meeting other eco-friendly people. This sustainability happy hour is a lively monthly gathering for anyone interested in sustainability, including green business, environmental and social causes, architecture and design, organics, renewable energy and more.
Use your EcoMetro coupon for $3 off any large pizza.

Sounds of China: Celebrating the Chinese New Year
Feb 22
Oakland East Bay Symphony
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland
8:00pm
To commemorate the Chinese New Year, see works by two Chinese composers -- Jon Jang and Academy Award-winning composer Tan Dun ('Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') -- as well as John Adams' entertaining 'Chairman Dances' inspired by his opera 'Nixon in China'.
Use your EcoMetro coupon for 20% off on up to four tickets.

Full Moon Feast
February 23
Three Stone Hearth
Addison St at Bolivar Dr, Berkeley
6:30pm-8:00pm    
Celebrate the Full Moon with a feast created by this community supported kitchen. Reservations for the Feasts can be made by prepaying a donation of $40 per adult and $10 per child under 12. Infants attend for free. Please email amount of seats requested, your name, email address and phone number to Larry@threestonehearth.com.

West Oakland Community Bike-Fix-a-Thon
Feb 24
The Crucible
1260 7th St (at Union), West Oakland
12:00pm–5:00pm
Presented by The Crucible, free simple bike repairs to anyone under 18. Fix your flats, brakes, chains, cables, and more!
Use your EcoMetro coupon for 10% off tuition for industrial and fire arts.

EcoNow Community Event
Feb 28
Go Green Motors
1500 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley
6:30pm-9:30pm
EcoNow Events are interactive forums that connect you with leading green business professionals through education and networking. Each event begins with a presentation on an ecologically and socially responsible venture, delivered by an expert in the field, followed by Q&A. You will have the opportunity to introduce yourself and your interests, before networking, to facilitate the connections you want to make. Through networking you will be able to share your thoughts, learn from others, brainstorm, develop partnerships, and more.

The Green Movement  
Feb 28
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
7:30pm-9:30pm   
Paul Hawken in conversation with Kevin Danaher. Discuss the booming green movement with two inside experts.

Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening Conference
Feb 29
UC Berkeley Campus, Student Union, Berkeley
8am-5pm.
Cost: $75.
Discover how Bay-Friendly Landscaping can help you cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste, conserve water and prevent pollution. Session topics will include: Bay-Friendly practices for nurturing the soil; innovations in irrigation for making every drop of water count; anatomy of a Bay-Friendly Landscape; beyond ladybugs and lacewings: an in-depth look at beneficial insects. Who should attend: public and private landscape professionals, city planners and advanced home gardeners. Registration will be available on-line beginning November 29, 2007. Workshop fee includes lunch and all conference materials.

See you next month for our newsletter feature on organic gardening and growing your own food. More...

With the coming of winter traditional fundraising events tend to slow, with walk-a-thons and marathons being reserved for the warmer months. In addition to pulling thick coats and scarves out of storage, one group has a reaction to the cold that doubles as a winter fundraiser—growing mustaches with sponsorship.

Mustaches for Kids is a national organization that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Make-A-Wish foundation, all through facial hair. Local chapter Mustaches for Kids SF kicks off the 'growing season' this Tuesday at Cassanova Lounge (527 Valencia Street, San Francisco, see site for details). Growers will be working hard to achieve facial hair while gathering donations from sponsors, much like a runner. The Tuesday event will be a shaving, to ensure all growers begin at the same stage. In coming weeks 'staches and their support teams will meet at 'checkpoints' to celebrate their success and photograph the results before gathering for the final ‘Stache Bash on December 13th. More...

One of our favorite sites on Oakland arts and history... More...