tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19949868105135570602024-03-18T21:56:59.686-07:00STUDENT IN POMONAAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-26802857151357993822010-12-09T10:33:00.000-08:002010-12-09T10:35:56.100-08:00It's been a while, here's whySo my blog has basically been defunct for some time. <a href="http://polycentric.csupomona.edu/news_stories/2010/11/masters-thesis-water-buffalo.html">But here is a link to an article about what I've been up to</a>.<br />In the meantime I'v contributed to <a href="http://diversitown.blogspot.com/">M-M-M-My Pomona</a> once or twiceAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-74464213008798530782010-03-06T13:58:00.000-08:002010-03-06T14:01:34.424-08:00Home BuyingI'm trying to buy a home in lovely Pomona. I put in an offer for one and I really hope I get it. Even though the house has been on the market for a few months i made a really low offer because it needs work and i've seen vandals walk out of the property. Send good vibes or prayers, whichever it is that you do. I'm remaining reservedly hopeful.<br /><br />Why didn't anyone tell me that home buying is so stressful?Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-17846103558658242842010-02-20T19:47:00.000-08:002010-02-24T20:49:20.640-08:00Congratulations Juan and Susie!When I first moved to Pomona I didn't know a SINGLE person living in the area. So I asked a friend in Santa Ana (who i knew knew people in Pomona) who i could talk to so I wouldn't feel like a stranger. She (Teresita) told me about Susie, Juan and Bunny Gunner. It took me a while to ever approach them because well, what was I gonna say? "Hi I'm new, will you be my friend?" Well, it turns out, I probably could have done that and they would have been my friends! <br /><br />What happened instead is, I started blogging and I started following their blog as well, <a href="http://pomonaartscolony.blogspot.com/">Pomona's Art Colonists</a> and I began to get the feeling that they were warm and welcoming people whose doors seemed to always be open to people in the community. We slowly became virtual buddies by reading each others blogs and eventually i decided to pop my head into the shop in the middle of the day on a weekday. So I rode my bike over there and finally got to meet them face to face. They were the kindest people and they welcomed me to the community with open arms! I incidentally got to meet REN for the first time during my visit. Although I spend most of my time locked away studying, when I <span style="font-style:italic;">do</span> go out and I see Juan and Susie it always makes my day because they are both such genuinely good people. I thank Juan and Susie for welcoming me to this tight knit community, I never once felt like a stranger and i love them dearly for their kindness. <br /><br />Congratulations Susie and Juan! I wish you both the best from the bottom of my heart!Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-19679939910442490032010-01-20T19:32:00.001-08:002010-01-21T19:17:11.639-08:00Forgotten Fruits: Cashew Apple<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rnoltenius/3339471217/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/3339471217_16d870b6aa_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rnoltenius/3339471217/">Cashews - Maranones</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rnoltenius/">rnoltenius</a></span></div>So, it's the return of the forgotten fruits topic. Today I'm going to talk about the Cashew apple (or marañón). There is a lot to discuss when talking about the Cashew apple and it has a lot of implications as a fruit. <br /><br />As you could have guessed the Cashew nut and the Cashew apple are from the same tree, and as you can see, the nut actually grows from the end of the fruit (making the cashew apple a pseudo fruit).<br /><br />You may be wondering why the cashew nut is so prevalent yet the fruit is nowhere to be found anywhere! Because this is a perfect example of a fruit that is unavailable to our markets because it cannot be shipped. The skin of the fruit is too fragile for shipping, so we won't see it in any markets anytime soon. "What about at a farmers market?" you ask. Well, it's a tropical tree that begins to decline at about 50 degrees F and will die if temperatures get close to freezing. Trust me, I tried growing a tree once and it didn't even have a chance. Until I get a large greenhouse, I won't be trying it again. <br /><br />There are also a lot of arguments against shipping foods overseas, however shipping via boat is actually super-efficient and more greenhouse gases and emissions are emitted from delivery trucks going short distances. So really the best solution is to grow your own food in terms of shipping emissions concerns.<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a>1</a></span><br /><br />The fruit is described as very juicy and sweet and juice made from the fruit is fairly popular in Brazil. I suppose the juice could be shipped and sold here, but introducing new foods to existing markets is probably very hard. That is, until someone claims it as a "superfruit"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Source:</span> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a>1 Weber, Christopher & Matthews, Scott (2008) Food-Miles and the Relative Climate Impacts of Food Choices in the United States, <span style="font-style:italic;">Environmental Science and Technology</span> 42 (10)</a></span><br clear="all" />Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-24091625715109178572010-01-17T10:00:00.001-08:002010-01-20T19:40:03.612-08:00Uncertain Futures and Invested Interests<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8132987@N02/1466248958/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/1466248958_6902a3f6a1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8132987@N02/1466248958/">CIMG3128</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/8132987@N02/">Akanzler</a></span></div>In a discussion in class recently, we touched on the idea of how people deal with time in relation to their living situation. It really hit home.<br /><br />Here in Pomona, I've noticed from first hand experience that a lot of people who live here are renting either their apartment or their house. I for one am one of them. <br /><br />This affects my invested interest not only in my home but also in my city. The uncertainty of my future in this particular home makes it so that I have very little interest in spending money to fix my home. Unfortunately, the house needs a lot of work. A new roof is needed (those who follow my blog will remember the loss of a laptop due to a leaky roof) but all that has been done is that plastic has been placed on top of the roof. I am not interested in paying for the new roof. Seeing as how I sublease, I am not in contact with the actual property owner so my line of communication is already complicated.<br />(Why not just move out? well, as a starving student who is trying to save money to buy a house I have very few options)<br /><br />If I owned my home my futures have a higher level of certainty so my invested interest in the house would be increased. And the home that I might own, being in a certain city would also increase my invested interest because I am more likely to stay within that city because I live in the home that I own. <br /><br />To be honest, I don't know how long I will be living in Pomona because I do not own a home here. Also, I do not know what home prices will look like when I have enough saved up to buy a home. Though homes are cheap in Pomona and I really want to stay, there is a chance that I may need to look elsewhere for a home.<br /><br />SO, like most renters I have a greater likelihood of transience. Thus my invested interest in the city is not as high as it might be due to that. With so many homes "se rente," we wonder why, with a population so high, so many people don't show that they care in this wonderful city of Pomona.<br /><br />We studied this in relation to environmental issues but it indeed relates to many other issues of concern inside a city.<br /><br />There are other cities that require that when someone buys a house, they (or sometimes an immediate family member) must live in it for at least a year or more before they can consider renting it out. I'm just saying... it's something worth considering.<br clear="all" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a>(The article of discussion was "Time, Cycles and Tempos in Social-ecological Research and Environmental Policy" by Charles H. Wood from <span style="font-style:italic;">Time & Society</span> 2008; 17; 261)</a></span>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-42338540302668578032010-01-14T21:29:00.000-08:002010-01-20T19:40:10.048-08:00Pomona's FIRST Bike Lane!Technically it's not the first but I don't think I can justify the roundabout bike lane at the Red Cross building as being of any use to the city since it is probably only used by Cal Poly Students who typically have no desire to be invested in the city.<br /><br />BUT, Pomona finally has a bike lane! and here it is!<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=S+Hamilton+Blvd&daddr=hamilton+and+mission&hl=en&geocode=FfJ3BwIdVhX7-A%3BFYCiBwIdzBP7-CmHlDoa3S3DgDFii78z7a4EMw&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=34.049317,-117.763224&sspn=0.021619,0.038366&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.049317,-117.763224&spn=0.021619,0.038366&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=S+Hamilton+Blvd&daddr=hamilton+and+mission&hl=en&geocode=FfJ3BwIdVhX7-A%3BFYCiBwIdzBP7-CmHlDoa3S3DgDFii78z7a4EMw&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=34.049317,-117.763224&sspn=0.021619,0.038366&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.049317,-117.763224&spn=0.021619,0.038366" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />I noticed it a few months back but never reported on it. Unfortunately, that bike lane is very much out of the way for me except when I ride to school. Also, the lane is less than a mile long. A bike lane down Garey would be great, but then we'd lose a lot of parking and street parking is way smarter in terms of walkability than having parking lots. UNLESS we have the bike/car lane hybrids like they have in Pasadena we may never see a bike lane along Garey. But, there are other streets closer to Garey that could fit bike lanes, such as Park and also Palomares. There are also a lot of east west streets that have room for bike lanes such as oh... I don't know, ALL the number streets, 1 through 12th, then grand, phillips, franklin, lexington, philadelphia, and olive.<br /><br />In fact, until I see bike lanes on all those streets... <br /><br />Well, I just hope it happens soon.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-75587568492692281202010-01-12T21:35:00.000-08:002010-01-13T19:54:22.031-08:00Journey to Peru + Water<a href="http://greenempowerment.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/green-empowerment-service-learning-projecttour-in-peru/">I recently guest "blogged" on Green Empowerment's blog about my experience with them in Peru</a>.<br /><br />There was the link and here is the nearly identical post.<br /><br />In August myself and some classmates headed down to Peru with some folks from Green Empowerment. We flew into Lima and from there we went to Cajamarca. Cajamarca is in the Andes on the east side of the continental divide. This city is known as the switzerland of Peru because of their well known dairy products. I was pretty excited because I'm a huge fan of cheese and I've heard nothing but good things about Cajamarcan Cheese. What's cool about this town is their old architecture and city plan. There is a plaza in the center of town called Plaza de Arma (turns out just about every plaza in Peru is called plaza de Arma). We stayed in a hostel just a block from the center of town called hostal de Cajamarca. Hostels in Peru aren't like hostels that we think of in the states, Hostels are really just hotels that aren't 4 star hotels. This hostel was really cool because it had a courtyard that we often used as the central gathering location or hang out spot when we were waiting or just chatting. It reminds me of how much I want a courtyard to be the center of my house. Of course this style is of spanish influence, not of the indigenous groups. We spent the first few days here, getting acqainted with what to expect and meeting with various people from the NGO Soluciones Practicas.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmi06Tu9wWUkZZOULgJF5yqcQmWBmzWtl_jbnEi01i1b8j4aGwys6tf99B6dGVVKs500I3m2XpBIgDiZCv3-P8b9gX4lOxHjkxJ_MWMtR6frwfObu9I3PF8Nv2sxVBuuF5Kgea05hVGSg/s1600-h/P8150012.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/AVvXsEhmi06Tu9wWUkZZOULgJF5yqcQmWBmzWtl_jbnEi01i1b8j4aGwys6tf99B6dGVVKs500I3m2XpBIgDiZCv3-P8b9gX4lOxHjkxJ_MWMtR6frwfObu9I3PF8Nv2sxVBuuF5Kgea05hVGSg/s400/P8150012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394187440985456418" /></a><br />We were here because me and a few others had spent 6 months preparing a project for a community in the Andes of the La Cocha subwatershed. 6 months is a lot of work to be doing for a place that we had never seen before. We based all our judgements on figures and numbers on everything we could find about the area. We did research on the slopes, the rainfall, the temperature, types of crops they were growing, types of innovations their ancestors employed and a bunch of other things. We came up with as many solutions we could to help them adapt to global climate change and help them survive in a more globally effected climate. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_HoI9taIoaPX-bYTrgRsqKv4hEy4hg8EqDAqzrmYIAzsvjCyxksElJlrNHfQhmKSgjPex6JqmwTofggVKG2x64xMiXGDW6mkGkxDuQLlA_S6Lk-3WylSy-wWWmUzEmFgq1JLPoSYIeM/s1600-h/P8170131.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/AVvXsEhA_HoI9taIoaPX-bYTrgRsqKv4hEy4hg8EqDAqzrmYIAzsvjCyxksElJlrNHfQhmKSgjPex6JqmwTofggVKG2x64xMiXGDW6mkGkxDuQLlA_S6Lk-3WylSy-wWWmUzEmFgq1JLPoSYIeM/s400/P8170131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394188099804114322" /></a><br />But we finally made it out here, and were excited to be able to see what it was really like. Cajamarca is a relatively cold city, but based on our research we new that the town we were going to, Chilete, would be warm or even hot like it was back home. Unfortunaley I had forgotten that the climate and temperature could change in Peru in such relatively short distances. On our way up we found that much of the Andes is being afforested with new trees that never grew here before. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh592KqyDRorqEJKgtbf_qTREIVCbUxdqEXi5RRPiNwcOW8hace8z6-OQVHdmRIPeta_KHIiijGSUXFszcCevfTKKxIYY4EvfKw7CfPMlWSxs7h4A-x6zTwDRzftSd9GLH4rd4IkZJD3A/s1600-h/P8180325.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/AVvXsEhh592KqyDRorqEJKgtbf_qTREIVCbUxdqEXi5RRPiNwcOW8hace8z6-OQVHdmRIPeta_KHIiijGSUXFszcCevfTKKxIYY4EvfKw7CfPMlWSxs7h4A-x6zTwDRzftSd9GLH4rd4IkZJD3A/s400/P8180325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394188895644257410" /></a><br />Trees like Eucalyptus and pines we being planted along grids, and some of us weren't sure wether they were the best species or not because they could become invasive. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFgMf3OV2Zh-wsa4KMT6ZbrmO602oCrtiMIhJFqXeByNuFGKgvFComjbcaRA_z-wmGB0t743Ni3w_hyV9HRjisxTp60iVdKXac7CB5m1NzuGnlR1EHqWPhzNl4-w0y583tbWLj06oLfM/s1600-h/P8180291.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/AVvXsEhCFgMf3OV2Zh-wsa4KMT6ZbrmO602oCrtiMIhJFqXeByNuFGKgvFComjbcaRA_z-wmGB0t743Ni3w_hyV9HRjisxTp60iVdKXac7CB5m1NzuGnlR1EHqWPhzNl4-w0y583tbWLj06oLfM/s400/P8180291.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394189316112050386" /></a><br />The ride was definitely educational and we began to learn more about the Yanacocha mine that was nearby. It is one of the largest gold mines in the world yet the locals do not benefit from it. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZrds7MhXaDSaWb5GCMQ6P9rJqVvkWxpakNnfu8yU1GIgB0sdJ3jFgNXjCb0V9v_hs_dKX2TmXk4fjd-TWm6lW7XueTVTaqYT0wWN-hPy7S_YbBzdoWnedf0tvXrS-erfVTheK6VYaZQ/s1600-h/P8170141.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/AVvXsEiSZrds7MhXaDSaWb5GCMQ6P9rJqVvkWxpakNnfu8yU1GIgB0sdJ3jFgNXjCb0V9v_hs_dKX2TmXk4fjd-TWm6lW7XueTVTaqYT0wWN-hPy7S_YbBzdoWnedf0tvXrS-erfVTheK6VYaZQ/s400/P8170141.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394189799192546162" /></a><br />Once we got to Chilete we presented some of our work to some leaders of the community. It was amazing to finally present our work to the people we intended it for. It being a class project that we had spent 6 months on, it never seemed like it was a real and viable project until that day. Our work was finally coming to life. If only we had really had this feeling earlier we may have been more prepared. Things like understanding that we need to produce our work in spanish for them, and many other language barriers were a problem but we were able to make it through with our classmate Rene. Rene hadn't been part of the project, but he was the most fluent spanish speaker and he became an important part of the project. After our presentation we exchanged contact information with the hopes of keeping in touch. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yDsrWU0MO2umYCwto6e28vRz1ZflkhwBlOJ3r22AHsAj6DK-oEcpi_YpU_VDMCBUm1H9v3SpvUgyqeRV6YZqzmiuUy4FYFOY4mXoZ85-6TvV6y7_tLcLV-dLM1epVadSlxC1i5pDxFI/s1600-h/P8170233.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/AVvXsEg-yDsrWU0MO2umYCwto6e28vRz1ZflkhwBlOJ3r22AHsAj6DK-oEcpi_YpU_VDMCBUm1H9v3SpvUgyqeRV6YZqzmiuUy4FYFOY4mXoZ85-6TvV6y7_tLcLV-dLM1epVadSlxC1i5pDxFI/s400/P8170233.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394190402217636978" /></a><br />We received a much needed info on the La Cocha sub watershed and we finally were able to see the hillsides we had been so accustomed to seeing on maps.<br /><br />It was getting closer to our trip to Suro Antivo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12BtZFcJiEnEAjjL8Aj1FAoSCtE_3k_Z3Hai-Rgpz5KHkPFa2F4b3NK4cW3yn4aCMeg_T1VVLFs6V8RJijklkjCqas7lZKLK6hItSC3cTqtraFcwqkfwzHRyLiSf4uAr2GpVtXIchTK4/s1600-h/P8180287.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/AVvXsEi12BtZFcJiEnEAjjL8Aj1FAoSCtE_3k_Z3Hai-Rgpz5KHkPFa2F4b3NK4cW3yn4aCMeg_T1VVLFs6V8RJijklkjCqas7lZKLK6hItSC3cTqtraFcwqkfwzHRyLiSf4uAr2GpVtXIchTK4/s400/P8180287.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394191099591420754" /></a><br />Suro Antivo is higher up in the Andes, on the way up we almost hit a Vicuna, a rare species related to the Alpaca. Its fur was once reserved for royalty because it is so soft.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIRodLieFUaU6I8qbLNG13asty07EdoB8acjkwptEPCYBVmViD-eRivDl-3c5gvio4IM9Dwpx1eXEDJJAud6kRXTiRDZ03hrqpjyGhvAdGBPC9vkBfDSeFILukC4A2EUrFrFwV3IRO20/s1600-h/P8180328.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/AVvXsEgWIRodLieFUaU6I8qbLNG13asty07EdoB8acjkwptEPCYBVmViD-eRivDl-3c5gvio4IM9Dwpx1eXEDJJAud6kRXTiRDZ03hrqpjyGhvAdGBPC9vkBfDSeFILukC4A2EUrFrFwV3IRO20/s400/P8180328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394192026246071058" /></a><br />There was much concern over how well our bodies would be able to handle the altitude when we got there, so Jason thought it'd be a good idea to play soccer when we got there. The long car ride made me beat so I decided to sit this one out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jliir4UMWVuinhVASWi6jKCrHCyr6iQ8swwB0D_yww-VwqbkXJ3DiIAcYYlxX6o1KpGXpTkHrB3dsnu6o86FFC5ArFLsO8LCaNF9TyzsC7zgsH-j-vwpa3QwU05Zq3Koby2tMEol7TU/s1600-h/P8180355.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/AVvXsEh4jliir4UMWVuinhVASWi6jKCrHCyr6iQ8swwB0D_yww-VwqbkXJ3DiIAcYYlxX6o1KpGXpTkHrB3dsnu6o86FFC5ArFLsO8LCaNF9TyzsC7zgsH-j-vwpa3QwU05Zq3Koby2tMEol7TU/s400/P8180355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394191561481129698" /></a><br />Suro Antivo is an amazing town to visit. Farmers all own large plots of land and everyone lives no less than a quarter mile apart. Suro is a type of bamboo that was used as a common building material. That plant is no longer found in town. Antivo means “old” similar to the word antique. The grassland landscape here must have changed a few times over the many years that people have been here. It is likely going to change again. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMRzmuSF7RpNgRXBUvjnT_Lir1-zyzLwLBE3YFlyDsMV_7eypwI2xLF6VtNStH-cIpVyaylkzKnGf_Sq0biHCCHlmfN7fgbDxkrAozKUFZ9vIXfp5speCW34GW_f4o13lBSGkOb4be8g/s1600-h/P8180356.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/AVvXsEjqMRzmuSF7RpNgRXBUvjnT_Lir1-zyzLwLBE3YFlyDsMV_7eypwI2xLF6VtNStH-cIpVyaylkzKnGf_Sq0biHCCHlmfN7fgbDxkrAozKUFZ9vIXfp5speCW34GW_f4o13lBSGkOb4be8g/s400/P8180356.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394192359494948626" /></a><br />Most of our meetings took place in the school house because it is the only public gathering place. In Suro Antivo many people have just received running water for the first time, and neighboring communities many people do not having clean running water at all. This means the most common causes of death is dysentery from dirty water. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBylf4qgBYOl9ok3PqYnc5g4WJvBLTtBhwy2ItQny5xP-Ss072Q0aRltLhmcRFyhGuQ_OsKpPHpNaiFtpQpv38UeShCCLGlwGtZYMYYDqRJM3ySrCzXdcjTxMy5ua8zNwBs5qfxNrc6M/s1600-h/P8190385.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/AVvXsEiIBylf4qgBYOl9ok3PqYnc5g4WJvBLTtBhwy2ItQny5xP-Ss072Q0aRltLhmcRFyhGuQ_OsKpPHpNaiFtpQpv38UeShCCLGlwGtZYMYYDqRJM3ySrCzXdcjTxMy5ua8zNwBs5qfxNrc6M/s400/P8190385.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394192693988002066" /></a><br />Our objective in Suro antivo was to locate and plot the existing springs on a GPS unit and then create tapstands for the existing taps so that they will not break. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy8G9gWpzmPSrWzxk7gPRLd1xW4Nj49Y-jZiglfGvRDUtzWbHUvrSHbp-J1hZPZnJMuRB0myyKJ-K97b2edFYOe4hbtTFJPg3-3FCxUqubZR25enPRLmAhi1HUfCmYPokMsY9-_mAacc/s1600-h/P8190377.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/AVvXsEiYy8G9gWpzmPSrWzxk7gPRLd1xW4Nj49Y-jZiglfGvRDUtzWbHUvrSHbp-J1hZPZnJMuRB0myyKJ-K97b2edFYOe4hbtTFJPg3-3FCxUqubZR25enPRLmAhi1HUfCmYPokMsY9-_mAacc/s400/P8190377.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394193028715685650" /></a><br />We split up into a few groups, Some of us checked the flow of water on the existing springs. Some went and did environmental assessments on springs around town. When we returned we shared our findings with each other and began working on plans to keep the newer springs in optimal condition over a long period of time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY0HY87yE8of3w48xpwTQj19oZSROyuvKnvE6vLU5EGO8F-rWsTLYBCScl_xO_cIR9Kj4UK7CwEraNrX0cX0NLT4FnpAJrASs9G6nSBxuTURecexqTFnxHTOBCG0zcYi6SGMZQT4iJhM/s1600-h/P8200402.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/AVvXsEjVY0HY87yE8of3w48xpwTQj19oZSROyuvKnvE6vLU5EGO8F-rWsTLYBCScl_xO_cIR9Kj4UK7CwEraNrX0cX0NLT4FnpAJrASs9G6nSBxuTURecexqTFnxHTOBCG0zcYi6SGMZQT4iJhM/s400/P8200402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394193496544320002" /></a><br />Here we are working on the plans for the assessments<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvnQYi2GOolclqpXk0EOxAwa4Ega6hdJ2ffcFrtL9r0-I7t6QHnB0uCD4N1cu8jPwv3P9VO7X-UAhxTelK_jt9xGBmGl5Gyo46-1yAtJDcq02wsRbFrwrguiO9yjzxOmdSXXF_ce3DZA/s1600-h/IMG_4683.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/AVvXsEinvnQYi2GOolclqpXk0EOxAwa4Ega6hdJ2ffcFrtL9r0-I7t6QHnB0uCD4N1cu8jPwv3P9VO7X-UAhxTelK_jt9xGBmGl5Gyo46-1yAtJDcq02wsRbFrwrguiO9yjzxOmdSXXF_ce3DZA/s400/IMG_4683.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394194024625674434" /></a><br />And presenting them to the community.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSU4JeHQpupDexl16fM9ETPaR5PxX-jRZuAPrluXsXp7tEETTKACiseTOii-iD1AQBVPHae2RHfuHijRtsXQBzmcgOzu7JjViOhpwY_8BGSaH2y0mxIOjJHPduuczE-29hxokpT5Xqjo/s1600-h/IMG_4688.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/AVvXsEhxSU4JeHQpupDexl16fM9ETPaR5PxX-jRZuAPrluXsXp7tEETTKACiseTOii-iD1AQBVPHae2RHfuHijRtsXQBzmcgOzu7JjViOhpwY_8BGSaH2y0mxIOjJHPduuczE-29hxokpT5Xqjo/s400/IMG_4688.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394194596544084290" /></a><br />Later on we went to other communities in other parts of the greater Jequetepeque watershed. We assessed other springs and conducted interviews of people that lived there. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnMjDcE-cd8OhITWK7-XccOeUPN1IHu11REwW-KcTrwYHOLf3l0oxQGRx9bK72ekuUs_B77EDvIWK-AV4DPUgqS5SVszNKS0j0MntFCW6Lbgje_ReBO8pJC5f1NhJObAhVfOtlZcpVA8/s1600-h/P8200425.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/AVvXsEjLnMjDcE-cd8OhITWK7-XccOeUPN1IHu11REwW-KcTrwYHOLf3l0oxQGRx9bK72ekuUs_B77EDvIWK-AV4DPUgqS5SVszNKS0j0MntFCW6Lbgje_ReBO8pJC5f1NhJObAhVfOtlZcpVA8/s400/P8200425.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394194923302810898" /></a><br />So many people have no clean running water and so many people are sick every other week because of it. It's truly eyeopening to know how fortunate we are in the US to have clean running water.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBzQw-_lQkgfvsNuosZzg2_2YJnGxOVnRNVdsg9RqF7fhxLQjc70Ng7sYRCNQniZl_hwEX3xsisE-8SI13tx2096aqu2led7JU6WHNnp29rtY6vj1KkiTBlt76UgEllP2LWegDs03pWM/s1600-h/IMG_4714.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/AVvXsEiDBzQw-_lQkgfvsNuosZzg2_2YJnGxOVnRNVdsg9RqF7fhxLQjc70Ng7sYRCNQniZl_hwEX3xsisE-8SI13tx2096aqu2led7JU6WHNnp29rtY6vj1KkiTBlt76UgEllP2LWegDs03pWM/s400/IMG_4714.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394195362800936786" /></a><br />Our nights were coming to an end in Suro Antivo and our next stop was to be in Alto Peru on our way back to Cajamarca. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c1fCF2IqDSAxGZv-CHrO9O5CyO0JgM65BgK2dT13Ym2QxvwQHJWl00okJCddBi2jfJ-ZTl7LpsE4N6tMK13zWdkylEyKXaTUjoK_dAqiuHs6QmGTYqx7R5MyD5JjMwwR2Bq6eBRsURA/s1600-h/P8220673.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/AVvXsEi1c1fCF2IqDSAxGZv-CHrO9O5CyO0JgM65BgK2dT13Ym2QxvwQHJWl00okJCddBi2jfJ-ZTl7LpsE4N6tMK13zWdkylEyKXaTUjoK_dAqiuHs6QmGTYqx7R5MyD5JjMwwR2Bq6eBRsURA/s400/P8220673.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394196287924640818" /></a><br />On our way to Alto Peru I noticed some locals packed in hauling trucks who seemed angry at us. We were driving by in the same kinds of trucks that the miners use so, many of the locals thought we were miners. When we arrived in Alto Peru we spoke with some of the community leaders who voiced extreme concerns about the mine. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbx8BS6R4_njdANEUBU23xSWtjDwvglROCSqdkr_hxu7PvAih1Ay4M_NDRoPMWcLVfgHakohRBLCd8ZpZATSWDcQDPCmRgWViAiKfF9MdcXC56DpSRGzQ0ZDejkVCpoGKHmBTVL5GMDs/s1600-h/P8220675.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/AVvXsEhUbx8BS6R4_njdANEUBU23xSWtjDwvglROCSqdkr_hxu7PvAih1Ay4M_NDRoPMWcLVfgHakohRBLCd8ZpZATSWDcQDPCmRgWViAiKfF9MdcXC56DpSRGzQ0ZDejkVCpoGKHmBTVL5GMDs/s400/P8220675.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394196656252076818" /></a><br />The irony was that there were many power lines held up by large towers that ran right past Alto Peru and went directly to the yanacocha mine. The only source of power for those in Alto Peru were from their own wind turbines.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmmKoal65FlvEVXO4yBm-BKwpCNF9nGko0lxcFXmemL3WFgV7S5DyPrfT3Wd8uvPx5PqhFnxoJe-u9q69edDuYBccr2o0JWVtyrmFKybW-57fqmWAZRlJiAOtdkBKoU-KghzoiBZ4O-Y/s1600-h/P8220700.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/AVvXsEibmmKoal65FlvEVXO4yBm-BKwpCNF9nGko0lxcFXmemL3WFgV7S5DyPrfT3Wd8uvPx5PqhFnxoJe-u9q69edDuYBccr2o0JWVtyrmFKybW-57fqmWAZRlJiAOtdkBKoU-KghzoiBZ4O-Y/s400/P8220700.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394196978710173762" /></a><br />The road the rest of the way was paved. Again, the road to the mine is paved, but not to other parts of the watershed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Irw-uuOddSlL1oNvCFICy0G1w1J1Wpk-isVNuPLoWtYJI-L_BP4UZ5puxV11dh7n3YmZNlTSrrN93G63n6vc0FAUQ4JvIsl4VEO42xXL0eLEJKu3zKTbowom1eNAYW-z8SwjgFqd7Vc/s1600-h/P8230218.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/AVvXsEh5Irw-uuOddSlL1oNvCFICy0G1w1J1Wpk-isVNuPLoWtYJI-L_BP4UZ5puxV11dh7n3YmZNlTSrrN93G63n6vc0FAUQ4JvIsl4VEO42xXL0eLEJKu3zKTbowom1eNAYW-z8SwjgFqd7Vc/s400/P8230218.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394197451287110546" /></a><br />When we arrived back to Cajamarca we took a trip out to Cumbe Mayo. Something I have been wanting to see. Cumbe Mayo is the location of a pre Incan aqueduct, the craftsmanship of the aqueduct is just amazing. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Isa3L1R8VTyOGoka7Urpiyf5QdbtRwdemunMt5o2sMoIHHBeSfwnBnjZoZMcx6blc1CfP6BmFajlvKNy0cYIqrO1pcqLYNWZmSh7tDzZhZVqDpDC9GaC_lEQnOfjt_qJgA4XaryFgyU/s1600-h/P8220120.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/AVvXsEg3Isa3L1R8VTyOGoka7Urpiyf5QdbtRwdemunMt5o2sMoIHHBeSfwnBnjZoZMcx6blc1CfP6BmFajlvKNy0cYIqrO1pcqLYNWZmSh7tDzZhZVqDpDC9GaC_lEQnOfjt_qJgA4XaryFgyU/s400/P8220120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394197727629717938" /></a><br />Back in Cajamarca we met with some more folks from soluciones practicas and discussed our findings and impressions of Chilete, Suro Antivo and the surrounding areas. We said goodbye to our drivers who became our friends and before we knew it we were on our way back to Lima.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KQ0Uuo_OnVUr-g8qT_N9dIo91x6bakF-CVZLo-f-0ozPlUuSaeL67psOPos9GXh0O9dA5DV2DnJYec0f5S3q_WMPu9qKhZCyb1vqY3IW4MLIgs-f-m8e_TdWgYhnGNv_fE-6ys64buM/s1600-h/P8220648.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/AVvXsEg1KQ0Uuo_OnVUr-g8qT_N9dIo91x6bakF-CVZLo-f-0ozPlUuSaeL67psOPos9GXh0O9dA5DV2DnJYec0f5S3q_WMPu9qKhZCyb1vqY3IW4MLIgs-f-m8e_TdWgYhnGNv_fE-6ys64buM/s400/P8220648.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394198056348180690" /></a><br />On our last days in Lima it became easy to become bored because our days previously were so filled. However it was our friend David's birthday and we had a chance to celebrate. (he loves the cuy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIn2tqjAJ6pSQZxo_BwSWK7BWfjj2oJ3-lHhNO5MJnxDnVuQJHpPCQZW_WAeXs2txQYNE2bNTLTs27aWnYFTYEpx_Q5oWhIdXFz6usfFDzP-Nm0goFvbLZZRzVCobA7huJceQM02KdwE/s1600-h/P8260314.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/AVvXsEiVIn2tqjAJ6pSQZxo_BwSWK7BWfjj2oJ3-lHhNO5MJnxDnVuQJHpPCQZW_WAeXs2txQYNE2bNTLTs27aWnYFTYEpx_Q5oWhIdXFz6usfFDzP-Nm0goFvbLZZRzVCobA7huJceQM02KdwE/s400/P8260314.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394198419508192434" /></a><br />Now only a couple of months later I am back in school and still thinking about what kind of impact we may have had on the people we had visited.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-9809095151929665962010-01-07T19:53:00.001-08:002010-01-17T10:04:08.611-08:00Local Honey in Pomona/Chino!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8132987@N02/4255112945/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4255112945_22424266b5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8132987@N02/4255112945/">IMAG0110</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/8132987@N02/">Akanzler</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>One day, I was driving down East End in south Pomona and I noticed a sign outside someone's home that said HONEY. I immediately made a U-turn to get back to the Honey and was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />This part of Pomona is in the unincorporated zone so their Address is officially in Chino (12011 East End Ave.). But the street signs around are still Pomona signs.<br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=12011+East+End+Ave&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=12011+East+End+Ave,+Chino,+San+Bernardino,+California+91710&gl=us&ei=TKhGS9TCBZS2sgOM0dH1Dw&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA&ll=34.034723,-117.724259&spn=0.010811,0.019183&t=h&z=16&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=12011+East+End+Ave&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=12011+East+End+Ave,+Chino,+San+Bernardino,+California+91710&gl=us&ei=TKhGS9TCBZS2sgOM0dH1Dw&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA&ll=34.034723,-117.724259&spn=0.010811,0.019183&t=h&z=16&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />Because they are unincorporated, they can legally have bees and thus are able to harvest honey AND Bee Pollen.<br /><br />The great thing about Bee Pollen or Bee Bread is that it is the ONLY food that contains ALL 22 Amino Acids. The Bee Pollen that they have is actually the best tasting and cheapest Bee Pollen I've ever had. It is 10 dollars for half a quart sized ziploc bag and 20 for a full bag. I generally have a spoonful first thing in the morning for my protein fix and allergy reducer.<br /><br />Their honey in comparable to store bought honey in prices but it definitely tastes GREAT, it is VERY Rich and much tastier than Cal Poly's farm store honey. This jar of honey was purchased for 7 dollars. I think it's somewhere between 20 and 25 Fl oz's. <br /><br />The owners of this bee farm are Rodolfo and Martha. I spoke briefly with them and they have for boxes of bees. The darker honey is from various trees such as avocado and the lighter honey is from clovers and wildflowers.<br /><br />I suggest going there. There are many health benefits to local honey and local bee pollen, particularly for allergies. And there's a benefit in knowing exactly where your food comes from. The next time I head out there to buy honey or pollen I'll ask them if I can have a tour of their bees and I'll see if I can post some pictures. Support your local economy and buy some honey!</p>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-56985990721883335552010-01-04T19:14:00.001-08:002010-01-04T19:14:04.929-08:00Great Inventions: Mushroom Jerky<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8132987@N02/4246815658/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4246815658_f3c04ef3cd.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8132987@N02/4246815658/">mushroom beef jerky</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/8132987@N02/">Akanzler</a>.</span></div><p>Now I've got friends and family who are vegetarians and also either have an aversion to soy or are allergic to soy. <br /><br />Being a vegetarian means one must give up a lot of foods and not eating soy means one must give up even more. <br /><br />I've often used mushrooms to replace meat, sometimes using a portobello instead of a patty on my burgers, (though I'm not a vegetarian myself). So this great invention was somewhat of a surprise, but not completely. <br /><br />Unfortunately, you probably won't find it in your local supermarket, you may not even find it in your local asian market. I found this in a chinese market in Rowland heights called SF supermarket. (on google maps it's called Hong Kong supermarket). I will, however, be keeping an eye out for it at the more local markets. <br /><br />There are 4 different flavors, the green bag is Mustard, and quite delicious. There is also a note on the bag that says GMO FREE, that's always a good sign. Though the ingredients don't state any animal products There is a sticker on each of the bags that says if it has milk or eggs in it. Unfortunately, that sticker is in chinese, so unless you have someone with you that can read chinese, you vegans are SOL. There was one that had no milk or cheese but i don't remember which it was, it was either the red bag or orange. The flavors are also written in chinese so you may be playing a guessing game with that. This particular bag has milk and is the mustard flavor. The only problem is that it is shipped all the way from Taiwan. <br /><br />While you're there you may want to pick up a bottle of fresh squeezed soy milk over by the butcher(instead of that stuff made from soy flour), something you cannot find in the vicinity of Pomona. The freshest ones are usually pretty warm, almost hot. I must warn you though, if you don't like the taste of soy in your milk, you may not like it.</p>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-78726930818851616092009-12-27T12:51:00.000-08:002009-12-27T13:05:58.007-08:00Bilingual TypingI recently converted my keyboard to the following keyboard<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/KB_United_States_Dvorak.svg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 100px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/KB_United_States_Dvorak.svg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The Dvorak.<br />It is the only other keyboard recognized by ANSI. Th Dvorak Keyboard was developed as a way to speed up typing and efficiency with typing. If you didn't know, the QWERTY was developed in order to slow down typists. Back in the day when typewriters were in use, typewriters would often jam if a typist would type too fast. Hence, QWERTY.<br /><br />I began using the Dvorak back in October near the beginning of my quarter in school. For the first few weeks I would switch back to the QWERTY when I had papers longer than 2 pages to write. At some point, I don't remember when, I stopped switching back, even for long 15 page papers. That was probably only four weeks into using tho keyboard. One thing I can say, is that i can definitely feel a difference in typing. At work where I use a QWERTY my fingers fly all over my keyboard, but at home my fingers barely move, and at first it felt <span style="font-weight:bold;">VERY strange</span>.<br /><br />I decided to make the switch, even though it created challenges at first because it is a technelegical advancement, that is appropriate for computing and is much more efficient. Appropriate technology and efficiency, if you haven't noticed, are two (of many) things that I try to live by.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-37269307279299364542009-12-19T09:32:00.001-08:002010-01-13T19:55:01.171-08:00Pomona Massacre of Dec. 11th 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUJOZT_E2i6UA_Zkr_2AYNqX-ljYOeK9fNWTz3jcXWHs9WxIYaQDvKEGJ5oQ-EOzHr_a-2eHWLvgnRzLQUBqWDWZA1tWEJyqJySCKpXGakEenVmJn_CezwlFxB23J7J1C72htngM3rj0/s1600-h/2734877201_9b3b48e833_o.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUJOZT_E2i6UA_Zkr_2AYNqX-ljYOeK9fNWTz3jcXWHs9WxIYaQDvKEGJ5oQ-EOzHr_a-2eHWLvgnRzLQUBqWDWZA1tWEJyqJySCKpXGakEenVmJn_CezwlFxB23J7J1C72htngM3rj0/s400/2734877201_9b3b48e833_o.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417002421138031410" /></a><br /><p>On December 11th in the still of the night, masked bandits made their way into my yard and opened the door to my chicken coop. <br /><br />Unfortunately I was partly at fault. It was the night that i did not make sure the coop door had latched. <br /><br />When I woke up in the morning I found that only one of my fifteen chickens and ducks were left alive. It was the sole rooster.<br /><br />Raccoons massacred all but one of my birds overnight. <br /><br />Raccoons are jerks. Let me tell you why; they did not eat most of the birds, in fact only one and a half were actually eaten. most of the rest were just killed, many of them with their heads severed.<br /><br />I have already set a preliminary fence around the coop so that it will be harder for the raccoons to get to them and so that I can let my dog out to protect the birds. (i've successfully gotten our dog Nova to stop chasing chickens thanks to a dog whisperer episode) I will also be setting some humane traps for these bastards and will be sending them to the mountains.<br /><br />Let this be a lesson, if there are critters in your yard call vector control services and also if you've got birds, keep them safe at night!</p><br />p.s. i would share pictures but it's pretty disturbing.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-56960509562633318522009-12-12T14:12:00.000-08:002010-01-13T19:55:17.033-08:00Back with a Hobbit StoryHi All, I've been out for some time since Grad school Started. you can imagine why. It's VERY time consuming. But I've been up to a LOT. Really, I've been putting my money where my mouth is.<br />so in November a classmate of mine Kim P. and myself designed and built a test cell for thermal comfort. We also had help from my classmates Jacob, James, Melissa, and Alexandra. yau can go see it for yourself at the Center for Regenerative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2s228DU97XDRYvkgse636nf9-q7O95c77xEYFmC5opM7EMJeTk5fUdli3e4QgmZ7MfcsIS5TSeom__CUYJsUKdNrRm1U_Ot_TwdpGi4hSAGNZPeJLhyOOGeaXff6Kke6vTQNqN8wtpE/s1600-h/hobbitHole.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2s228DU97XDRYvkgse636nf9-q7O95c77xEYFmC5opM7EMJeTk5fUdli3e4QgmZ7MfcsIS5TSeom__CUYJsUKdNrRm1U_Ot_TwdpGi4hSAGNZPeJLhyOOGeaXff6Kke6vTQNqN8wtpE/s400/hobbitHole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414478206214843010" /></a><br />Essentially it is a hobbit hole with a large door facing south. We open up the door during the day and let in some sun that heats up stone tiles on the floor. We had initially been closing the door at around 3 pm but after we pulled the data we discovered it'd be best to shut the door no later than 1pm. I talk about why <a href="http://anduhrew.blogspot.com/2009/07/future-of-housing-living-underground_02.html">building underground is beneficial in a previous post</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnWFX1OOjMlkYm3lOYh8YoISAmO84GL8KA35bYsLoUVrOiK18s_AcAZ6sveo3EnHL3bzZwqGlS-xUixRXTp9Q7PypxzYhS5cgyqI8b3OyoKyvWyI1UeBp9zgjQLrHIeaHPxDIs1BGycA/s1600-h/Temperature+Long.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnWFX1OOjMlkYm3lOYh8YoISAmO84GL8KA35bYsLoUVrOiK18s_AcAZ6sveo3EnHL3bzZwqGlS-xUixRXTp9Q7PypxzYhS5cgyqI8b3OyoKyvWyI1UeBp9zgjQLrHIeaHPxDIs1BGycA/s400/Temperature+Long.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414478589387494610" /></a><br />The blue line is the temperature range inside the house and the red line is the temperature range outside. The yellow bar is the typical temperature range for thermal comfort. As you can see it did ok, but next time we should close the door at the peak of it's temperature gain. The lowest it got outside is just below 35 degrees and the lowest it got inside is just under 60 degrees while the warmest it got outside is just over 60 degrees but inside it got up to just over 85 degrees. This is all with passive methods and no energy usage.<br /><br />When it's hotter in the summer we'll probably just need to keep the door closed and it'll stay cool all day.<br /><br />Here's the opening line to <span style="font-style:italic;">The Hobbit</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."</span> - TolkienAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-70707185217433283032009-10-16T11:54:00.000-07:002009-10-16T12:02:47.393-07:00Just won an award for these.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCyImbP0qJ9JqiugJoPzEg7lhxPwXZuPsJTuiLqHNrsVdDURt4WFmm7uUas1IrgDf-sXi99vZbkzYZUfAIh_NjZVT66PIA_yhgDXWWJY-7SDSdk7fmXTmwSYF15htxleU5809UgtB5NU/s1600-h/280-06.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCyImbP0qJ9JqiugJoPzEg7lhxPwXZuPsJTuiLqHNrsVdDURt4WFmm7uUas1IrgDf-sXi99vZbkzYZUfAIh_NjZVT66PIA_yhgDXWWJY-7SDSdk7fmXTmwSYF15htxleU5809UgtB5NU/s400/280-06.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393273988612515490" /></a><br />So I'm adding a creative commons license so no one makes money off of them<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UfF1gMt74y2csGEOpfAoSvKqP1Ahn_3a311nHTrrZkZaZqWPQNNgjx5wzT0tmQRZrqodA5uOropPVRZaUVeO68j3U80G253f5DnPYgicNVepDAVlttDx8pW1VF1luR09Os2sCi7DHMo/s1600-h/P3080334.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UfF1gMt74y2csGEOpfAoSvKqP1Ahn_3a311nHTrrZkZaZqWPQNNgjx5wzT0tmQRZrqodA5uOropPVRZaUVeO68j3U80G253f5DnPYgicNVepDAVlttDx8pW1VF1luR09Os2sCi7DHMo/s320/P3080334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311050387633786034" /></a><br />Finished product.<br /><br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" property="dc:title">Tire Chair</span> by <span xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Andrew Kanzler</span> is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License</a>.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-6301984385385540802009-08-30T19:40:00.001-07:002009-08-30T19:41:14.094-07:00Just got back from Peru,I forgot to post that I was leaving for a couple weeks to Peru. I went with Green Empowerment to provide assist with water problems in rural communities of the andes. I'll have to fill you all in about it once I've finished catching up on things to do around the house.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-30112219391604557032009-07-17T19:54:00.000-07:002010-01-13T19:56:02.681-08:00More Community Action! Through the Weekend and Wednesday at DBA 256<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXDnkSRAw0DGO6bhSWX8s9SQfBbiNLnVxR0-JZKVWxDKQU0yjrpqVKAthMY2ofAaiHfgVhqQ4QbEjcGl_bD5-b6E8qsm75jV-ha01ywg74kIzwnVx_LvUs2EDWpREOuwjxVEAdWX2HAk/s1600-h/brewinghope.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/AVvXsEiNXDnkSRAw0DGO6bhSWX8s9SQfBbiNLnVxR0-JZKVWxDKQU0yjrpqVKAthMY2ofAaiHfgVhqQ4QbEjcGl_bD5-b6E8qsm75jV-ha01ywg74kIzwnVx_LvUs2EDWpREOuwjxVEAdWX2HAk/s400/brewinghope.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359630414430738098" /></a><br />So all through this weekend there will be more work parties to help out Dawn of the Garden and Pam of the Yarn Shop.<br /><br />ALSO! I'm looking forward to this. There will be a fundraising event at DBA 256, drinking <a href="http://idrinklocalyoucantoo.blogspot.com/2009/07/brewing-hope.html">beer and wine for a cause</a>? Sounds good to me!Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-19824990451151281542009-07-12T11:06:00.000-07:002010-01-13T19:56:02.682-08:00The First Organic Garden Shop in LA "The Garden" in Pomona Burned Down Yesterday<a href="http://diversitown.blogspot.com/2009/07/fire-on-garey.html">click here for more info at M-M-M-My Pomona</a><br /> there are updates from community members there as well and links to News coverage.<br />The owner is Dawn Van Allen, she is also a regular on the workshop and lecture circuit for urban gardening among other things<br /><br />The Yarn Shop next door also burned down.<br /><br />These two businesses are well known among the community, in fact The Garden is the only place that Lisa ever frequents, and those that know us, know that Lisa almost never leaves the house, especially during the day.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-82331561195481151052009-07-08T18:48:00.000-07:002010-01-13T19:55:48.343-08:00Bicycling: The New Golf?In New York (and Provo, and San Diego, and San Francisco) they are saying that <a href="http://www.usaweekend.com/08_issues/080323/080323cycling.html">Bicycling is the new golf</a>. I'm not quite sure about that, and I don't think bicycling could adequately replace golf. I'm not a golfer, I've been golfing a handful of times, but I do think there are some fundamental differences that won't allow for one to replace the other. I do however agree that bicycling is picking up in popularity while golfing is declining, but it's not quite the same. So I've made a few comparisons (without addressing much in the article which talks more about the social aspects of golfing and networking):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2fQXCGX3zrg02W66GL0YVGqewCO_c87eRzjhNj69QMvku-0E2RH0-SHKMVFHNNje-WJhf4CrpEGaUhXk7Qo3ZFwehCV8hiteeo0oyg6d3Zn8ZRwbwh2Gw4fW0A29RwbL3Iu5_YTKyT0/s1600-h/VsOutdoors.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2fQXCGX3zrg02W66GL0YVGqewCO_c87eRzjhNj69QMvku-0E2RH0-SHKMVFHNNje-WJhf4CrpEGaUhXk7Qo3ZFwehCV8hiteeo0oyg6d3Zn8ZRwbwh2Gw4fW0A29RwbL3Iu5_YTKyT0/s400/VsOutdoors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357020610972676530" /></a><br /><br />Outdoors: Both "sports" happen outdoors, one in a very specific place that I find to be redundant and also not very conducive to the diversity of the environment. The other can happen almost anyplace at anytime.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5D-gS8fOJ_6mjdmGXugR8EUJ_d5U2K2-bw6SmcINvE5Id3APreKBbTKRyv6qU3qxfqMysBCyS9Ksz8ReqJRg-GfntsnEAHTsZtG3LHTVrXzEMfF8QCGBZ8Obz5sbdyU_Z02aLHJdSuo/s1600-h/VsDanger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5D-gS8fOJ_6mjdmGXugR8EUJ_d5U2K2-bw6SmcINvE5Id3APreKBbTKRyv6qU3qxfqMysBCyS9Ksz8ReqJRg-GfntsnEAHTsZtG3LHTVrXzEMfF8QCGBZ8Obz5sbdyU_Z02aLHJdSuo/s400/VsDanger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357021244147585698" /></a><br /><br />Danger: Cycling is much more dangerous you cold get hit by a car! Though golfing DOES have its dangers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtdVGj3eNP6s3jzfbrDxfqMK9hw43-V8Db2aKrWh2khyphenhyphent3HTzLllGN_Pp5muGf4qQLJBpmuh1uDEjSWC2Zf7ckN-lhEnYH2BNL1BvSR5Jo5rkM9nZr3cyXBUqK7VCnjNTggsuq7vT8RY/s1600-h/VsShoes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtdVGj3eNP6s3jzfbrDxfqMK9hw43-V8Db2aKrWh2khyphenhyphent3HTzLllGN_Pp5muGf4qQLJBpmuh1uDEjSWC2Zf7ckN-lhEnYH2BNL1BvSR5Jo5rkM9nZr3cyXBUqK7VCnjNTggsuq7vT8RY/s400/VsShoes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357021966551284786" /></a><br /><br />Shoes: You can really golf or bicycle in almost any time of shoe. However, serious golfers and serious cyclists both have their own versions of cleats.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk89T1qpIit7ttizGurq_3SogBVOFR9rezM0-6jEKPWLru0m9EgLY0z-asDnKWGQ2KKfr6qJ9WjORdhCDIPAgDq67HhMBkzPfb0ZGu12AAVtO3-JlCjACsshdSccsLaf6pu2LxW6qNs0/s1600-h/VsClothing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk89T1qpIit7ttizGurq_3SogBVOFR9rezM0-6jEKPWLru0m9EgLY0z-asDnKWGQ2KKfr6qJ9WjORdhCDIPAgDq67HhMBkzPfb0ZGu12AAVtO3-JlCjACsshdSccsLaf6pu2LxW6qNs0/s400/VsClothing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357022388041127922" /></a><br /><br />Clothing: I probably will not be wearing lycra anytime soon. Look at that style on those golfers though, I love it. Knickers also make perfect sense for bicycles. They'll keep your pants out of the chain instead of having to roll up your pant leg.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXd2ZY0qqvOX61Lnn0hoTFiceRPGUrucFJxZRpDgG3iCLTuIZIYQ18g0is6cau4ViOEPh8R7w45balJt_kgOZTrFkP02L12IwFJNy5IfpWmh12NlZibNDKIkW1lFNuzTlQu_MiJxCa6o/s1600-h/cyclistKnickers.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/AVvXsEiDXd2ZY0qqvOX61Lnn0hoTFiceRPGUrucFJxZRpDgG3iCLTuIZIYQ18g0is6cau4ViOEPh8R7w45balJt_kgOZTrFkP02L12IwFJNy5IfpWmh12NlZibNDKIkW1lFNuzTlQu_MiJxCa6o/s400/cyclistKnickers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357023079781993058" /></a><br />Folks early on seemed to recognize that golf clothing would work great for cycling. But somewhere along the development of bicycle clothing, clothes became geared only towards those who love spandex.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeI94lC_jjB53ayScMYPtn3bwsNmd3xfsGlN5R-B-dkm7LmrkvZhF_X7wEdUaFwYMosjBDexvvM39lp4I6V9aKgTJKrVoNhekhOk5e7Xkn_CQFA5Pg975mfrwELKxjt3YPkBKIvEA7gQ/s1600-h/BicycleKnickers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeI94lC_jjB53ayScMYPtn3bwsNmd3xfsGlN5R-B-dkm7LmrkvZhF_X7wEdUaFwYMosjBDexvvM39lp4I6V9aKgTJKrVoNhekhOk5e7Xkn_CQFA5Pg975mfrwELKxjt3YPkBKIvEA7gQ/s400/BicycleKnickers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357023992024693794" /></a><br />Fortunately, it looks like there are some folks who hate lycra as much as I do. This looks like a viable option, but i think there's still a ways to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L0Wg0SmXUW_z2cMZ9QOApGiaGsUFVjQ_3SOq1xGweMSezW1a8O__Z7lc_csjD3ZBshlLbBUNeVex8pD9xNvrabu5E7GgjtvKH2lQP3FAHTAl5enWkAQhxL0mHru8g322x1ukMbMrHOs/s1600-h/VsSkill.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L0Wg0SmXUW_z2cMZ9QOApGiaGsUFVjQ_3SOq1xGweMSezW1a8O__Z7lc_csjD3ZBshlLbBUNeVex8pD9xNvrabu5E7GgjtvKH2lQP3FAHTAl5enWkAQhxL0mHru8g322x1ukMbMrHOs/s400/VsSkill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357024380917813298" /></a><br /><br />Skill: Both Cycling and Golfing take adequate training. I know there are some people who teach their kids how to golf early on in their lives, but I still don't think it's as common as being taught how to ride a bike as a kid. One can learn how to bike in a day, it's much harder to learn how to golf in a day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTglPusbNOvU0V8FbEERPc7bNJafxjFUIjzbfNNMNCQg7e06JLpWOXxoBpNKRNOLdz_x288d__Fi7v_pIPBNb2_jfYwD_quGRuxqn2s4NkWwnCd2e4ICQhpZmnzhfbi_gyVeYp0FjJZYo/s1600-h/VsTransport.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTglPusbNOvU0V8FbEERPc7bNJafxjFUIjzbfNNMNCQg7e06JLpWOXxoBpNKRNOLdz_x288d__Fi7v_pIPBNb2_jfYwD_quGRuxqn2s4NkWwnCd2e4ICQhpZmnzhfbi_gyVeYp0FjJZYo/s400/VsTransport.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357025074825757762" /></a><br /><br />Transport: As we can see in this exhibit, it takes a bicycle in order to bicycle, and in order to golf one either needs to walk or use a golf cart. ALSO in order to GO golfing one needs to drive to the golf course with clubs in hand. In order to bicycle one just needs to jump on a bicycle. So you inevitably are being environmentally friendly, and with being environmentally friendly you are going to save money.<br /><br />Here's a great article from <a href="http://www.healthyandfitmagazine.com/2008/07/is-cycling-the-new-golf/">Health & Fitness</a> It talks about some more differences from golf and cycling. Things like Health benefits, Family time, Cost etc...<br /><br />So is bicycling the new golf? I think it can be a viable way for execs to network over golfing, I think it's a better "sport" than golfing is by far. If I want to play a game that puts balls in holes I'll go play pool down on second street, (that guy really takes care of his tables AND cues they're PERFECT) and I'll bicycle there.<br /><br />Bicycling is the new golf in that it is taking the place of many social aspects of golf while the popularity of the sport declines and while cycling ascends. But cycling will never take the place of the type of sport that golf is (for old white and asian men, which I will be one day except not plural)Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-60738871687706784172009-07-04T15:05:00.000-07:002009-07-04T15:08:12.322-07:00Bee Orgy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YbXQRLmXYN6EgOKR-AU3s_6aq7RaQK53SuRD-utHl2V0eITX5GZ17NcMtuBtm53d1K-1QFsSVOGBn2ddNJkyuyvq8FpDpYz0QbnQ_-a8gJFalXElfS2sB3zyCkhmX-9UuVfLyIPb9vs/s1600-h/BeeOrgie.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/AVvXsEg6YbXQRLmXYN6EgOKR-AU3s_6aq7RaQK53SuRD-utHl2V0eITX5GZ17NcMtuBtm53d1K-1QFsSVOGBn2ddNJkyuyvq8FpDpYz0QbnQ_-a8gJFalXElfS2sB3zyCkhmX-9UuVfLyIPb9vs/s400/BeeOrgie.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354730111363745074" /></a><br />Found this in my yard today in one of the flowers on a squash vine. Thought I'd share it with you all.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-20752830347459774872009-07-02T13:00:00.001-07:002009-07-02T20:38:38.715-07:00Future of Housing: Living Underground?<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/modezero/3265069911/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3265069911_1b00941795_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/modezero/3265069911/">Bilbo's House</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/modezero/">Jose Palad (modezero)</a></span></div>The ninja turtles did it, why can't we?<br /><br />I've often wondered about the direction in which home building is going. "What will homes look like in the future?" And I always come to the same conclusion. Homes of the future are all going to be "underground" in one way or another. I put it in quotes, because the definition of "underground" in the way i speak of it can be disupted.<br /><br />If we look back at the history of homes the first shelters were caves. It seems like a caricature of the cave person, but there is much evidence that points to caves being used as the earliest shelters by humans. See <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux">Lascaux</a>. I'm also sure that trees were used as shelters, soon afterwards, sticks from the trees to prop an overhead structure up, then huts made of sticks and wood, and eventually that evolved into the modern day house. <br /><br />I believe if the technology were available much earlier in our human history, we would probably be living in man made caves and underground. But it didn't and so instead, we are coming up with buildings with green roofs and living walls. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzK2iA-ETW_ToDukZuqhGVhXjNqZ6OOLXGOkwOouzJMibFDyES2sqCqrXeJJ5-1czXhBFHcJnuH_LmmLu1UJUCyL46iYKLW326aakbZLGWTCQgODXSiLkwaOCv5756uiRMyHiKQAPLb8/s1600-h/renzo_paino_academy_science_3.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/AVvXsEhbzK2iA-ETW_ToDukZuqhGVhXjNqZ6OOLXGOkwOouzJMibFDyES2sqCqrXeJJ5-1czXhBFHcJnuH_LmmLu1UJUCyL46iYKLW326aakbZLGWTCQgODXSiLkwaOCv5756uiRMyHiKQAPLb8/s400/renzo_paino_academy_science_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354072994055422210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.treehugger.com/ad3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 309px;" src="http://www.treehugger.com/ad3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Windows. it seems silly, but that seems to be the most important distinction. When thinking of a cave, one typically imagines a dark, often damp, hard and sometimes scary place. Buildings instead, (particularly homes) are well lit, have windows to see outside and let in sun, are dry and very warm and comforting. With what is possible now and all the achievements made in engineering, living underground can be just as comforting, warm, well lit, and dry as living above ground.<br /><br />Living underground is environmentally friendly on very many levels. More and more buildings today are taking advantage of the consistent 58 degrees Fahrenheit of being underground. Here in Pomona, the Center for Regenerative Studies has a building built into a hillside. This design takes advantage of the earth's natural insulation. Other buildings like that are popping up all over the place. Having a green roof also provides opportunities to grow food, and/or a place for wildlife to visit. The California Academy of Sciences building in San Fran does exactly that, it is planted with vegetation found specifically in the area where the building was placed. The Center for Regenerative studies also has a study building with a green roof that has some food plants growing on it. The same can be done with living walls.<br /><br />When I own land, I'm going to build my home underground. And I mean literally underground, I'll likely be living in Pomona and since our water table is relatively high it'll look like a mound. It will have solar light tubes to let light into the home and I'll be growing fruits and vegetables all over it. Maybe it'll end up looking like Bilbo Baggins house from The Hobbit.<br clear="all" />Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-21129960930271550282009-06-30T20:39:00.000-07:002009-07-02T13:03:39.734-07:00Forgotten Fruits: Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Mangosteen.jpeg/250px-Mangosteen.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 265px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Mangosteen.jpeg/250px-Mangosteen.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Ah, the mangosteen, the sweet sweet mangosteen (no relation to the mango). The Queen of fruits. This fruit is described as sweet and tangy, citrusy with peach flavor and texture. I've had it (canned), it's pretty delicious and definitely different. You can obtain canned mangosteen at many asian supermarkets nearby. It may even be possible to find fresh mangosteen in some asian markets but i've never seen it. In New York fresh fruits have gone for $45 a pound in some produce stores. It is very rare to find fresh mangosteen. So if you can ever get your hands on it, try it!.<br /><br />Until recently it was completely unavailable in the States. It is a very tropical fruit and there were many restrictions on fruit imports from southeast asia where the mangosteen is native to. In 2006 Puerto Rico began sending mangosteen to some specialty food places in the US and in 2007 the ban on fruits without special preparation was removed allowing mangosteen and all its forms to be allowed into the states. <br /><br />There is a legend that says that Queen Victoria had offered a reward to anyone that could bring the fruit back to her as the fruit itself had many legends behind it.<br /><br />Because it is ultra tropical, it is nearly impossible to grow in the states. In it's native home, the tree can grow from 25 to 80 feet tall. What can be done though is to grow it in a greenhouse in Southern California. The mangosteen will surely die if it even spends a single night anywhere below 40 degrees F. Here in Pomona it's common to see nights down in the 30's in the winter. But with a green house some good design using passive radiant heating techniques could probably solve this problem.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/29/Madruno.jpg/800px-Madruno.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/29/Madruno.jpg/800px-Madruno.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />There are also other types of mangosteen. The most popular is the purple mangosteen but there is also the lemon mangosteen, which is more citrusy in flavor and almost looks like a lemon (it's yellow) and also the button mangosteen. The lemon mangosteen is from South America instead of from asia and is described as a lemony cotton candy. The button mangosteen is described as having an almost tangerine like flavor. There are actually more types of mangosteens but it's hard to find much information on them. These two mangosteens can survive in temperatures down to 35 degrees, so i'll grow them in containers and at nights i'll bring them inside in the winter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Cherapu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 382px; height: 368px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Cherapu.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I have very young plants of both the lemon mangosteen and button mangosteen. I'm being very careful with these two as I've already accidently killed my jackfruit due to over watering. The button mangosteen is doing well, but the lemon mangosteen is going much slower, and I accidently burned part of one leaf. I'll need to make a small greenhouse out of the plastic bottles i've been collecting.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-38556230891057870062009-06-22T22:23:00.001-07:002009-07-02T13:03:03.893-07:00Building Architecture and how it helps us understand who is running things.<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingirogiro/335055153/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/335055153_22611e396e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingirogiro/335055153/">Neuschwanstein's castle</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/ingirogiro/">ingirogiro</a></span></div>Food for thought (something I saw on the discovery channel a few years back):<br /><br />In the western world, during the Medieval era (and in some places into the modern era like Germany), the largest buildings were castles. The people who built these castles were kings who were the ultimate rulers. <br /><br />In the late Middle ages and into the early Modern Era, in many places such as Spain and Italy, the largest buildings were religious buildings (churches) in these places and at these times the greatest rulers of the land were religious leaders. Think Spanish Inquisition, The Pope and the history of the Church of England.<br /><br />Now, look around, and see what the largest buildings are, they are owned by large corporations. Essentially these are the people in charge. "Corporation" tends to carry a negative connotation, but not all corporations are bad, like not all kings are bad and not all religious figures are bad.<br /><br />I bet a thousand years ago, the concept of the corporation was completely inconceivable. I don't think anyone had written about these powerful businesses before they had existed. Authors like Jules Verne probably had no idea.<br /><br />So I wonder what would be the next type of big shots of the world. <br /><br />Just thought it was something interesting to share.<br clear="all" />Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-2096244558492598752009-06-21T10:59:00.001-07:002009-07-02T13:02:53.078-07:00Downtown to Fill Emptry Tree Wells: Fruit Street Trees a Possibility?<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/74772318@N00/348552761/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/348552761_7bcf05da3e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/74772318@N00/348552761/">Street oranges</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/74772318@N00/">Phil Jackman</a></span></div>This image is of orange trees lining the streets of Seville, Spain.<br />In other parts of the world Fruit trees lining streets is a common thing. It is also beginning to gain some movement in Berkeley and apparently Boston.<br /><br />There are also sites like <a href="http://fallenfruit.org">fallenfruit.org</a> that maps fruit trees that hang over private properties into public space which make the fruits available for the public. There is a map for our neighbor Claremont on this site as well.<br /><br />In the states, this public urban foraging is gaining some footage. It allows people within the community the opportunity to harvest locally grown public food which helps the environment in many ways including the reduction of fuel for shipping. <br /><br />Let's not forget what Pomona means and the historical relevance of the city. Pomona is the Goddess of Fruit, Pomona was once a great agricultural town and I believe that bringing some of that history back would be great for the city. Ontario has been planting small grape orchards in corporate parks because of the history of Ontario. It helps to distinguish Ontario from other parts of the country and give it some character based on its history. It can be seen along Haven in North Ontario on the West side of the street. There are even some residential complexes with some grape orchards in the area. I think it makes sense for Pomona to bring some of the history back along with the Fox theater and allow Pomona to develop its own character. It'll also put is one step ahead of all the other cities of Los Angeles.<br /><br />Even in the historic district there are some community members that have taken the initiative to plant some fruiting trees along the street, and their fruit is always harvested by passersby, it never goes to waste and almost never hits the ground.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.metropomona.com/whatsnew/">MetroPomona</a>, on July 9th. There is going to be a meeting with the Vehicle Parking District to discuss the three-way partnership developed with the VPD, Public Works Department and the DPOA, to fill the emptry tree wells in the Downtown Area.<br /><br />With a Farmers market in Downtown, plenty of people living in Downtown (who do not have yards to grow their own food in) and this evolving shift in Urban Planning to provide more publicly available food. It only makes sense for Pomona to consider planting some Street Fruit Trees.<br /><br />Some other sites that promote Urban Foraging are <br /><a href="http://neighborhoodfruit.com/">Neighborhoodfruit.com</a><br />and<br /><a href="http://neighborhoodfruit.com/">veggietrader.com</a><br clear="all" /><br />Here is also a June 9th 2009 article published by the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/dining/10Fruit.html?pagewanted=all">New York Times</a> about Urban Foraging.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-66528869985499646152009-06-10T00:00:00.001-07:002009-06-10T00:00:46.119-07:00Finals week.<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitpurr/1655731214/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/1655731214_9a7f6b3a7e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitpurr/1655731214/">Nini in Her Study</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/knitpurr/">knit_purr</a></span></div>Here I am studying (just kidding, we all know I'm semi-anonymous). We all also know what finals week means. It means my blog is down for the week. I'll be back once it's over. I always come back.<br clear="all" />Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-59894650760620426012009-06-05T16:51:00.000-07:002009-06-05T23:38:22.454-07:00Forgotten Fruits: Goji Berry (Wolfberry)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Wolfberries_on_vine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Wolfberries_on_vine.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This berry isn't totally forgotten, it has recently found a new following in health circles, but it is still unavailable as a fresh fruit. It is sometimes labeled as the Himalayan or Nepal Goji Berry to some exoticism to the berry but it is most likely actually just from China, like Citrus. <br /><br />The botanical name is <span style="font-style:italic;">Lycium barbarum</span>. As you can see, the "Lycium" is indicative of the name "Wolfberry" However it is probably a misunderstanding. (Lycos is latin for wolf but lycii and goji are Chinese terms) <br /><br />It's gain in popularity is due to its high level of antioxidants. It is labeled as a superfruit like the acai berry (but note that oranges and strawberries are also "superfruits"). They are available in stores such as whole foods and asian markets as dried fruits. They have consistencies like that of raisins. Here in the States people will eat them by themselves or mixed in foods akin to foods with raisins or dried cranberries. Most Goji berries are grown in the Ningxia Hui region of north central China. In August there are Goji berry festivals that coincide with the harvesting of the fruits. <br /><br />In China they are typically cooked usually in soups. In fact Lisa often makes soup with Goji Berries as an ingredient. These soups are generally used as tonics and are supposed to make you healthier.<br /><br />They aren't readily available fresh because they are not shipped well. Only in regions where they are grown can one find them fresh at a store or farmer's market.<br /><br />You can actually find the plants for sale. I recently purchased one and I will probably get fruits some time next year. The plants are used for erosion control in semiarid regions of China and are also being used to reverse the effects of desertification. <br /><br />When I get my first harvest of Goji Berries I would be more than happy to do some trading with my fellow victory gardeners.<br /><br />Oh, and the first time I had ever heard of the term Goji berries was from the first video made of the fellow below. (this is the second video made of him but you can see some of the exotification of the fruit however false it may be.) I had always known them as Wolfberries before. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1lBoJpx8Wn8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1lBoJpx8Wn8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994986810513557060.post-59654129368375250252009-06-04T11:04:00.000-07:002009-06-09T23:50:48.071-07:00Pomona's Old Pacific Electric Rail Lines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdLcj4qC79k28e3-XSDfK3WXj9vXv9S_a5cAUG_QFrR7q6s83UNFnt2WCOolneaO6YhuTttpZisZDrMT2FQgok1cpUO1iasPQR036_3PNrkT9VtLYG-Ded2M_JLpSuDuwEUSWB90X2BU/s1600-h/PE.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdLcj4qC79k28e3-XSDfK3WXj9vXv9S_a5cAUG_QFrR7q6s83UNFnt2WCOolneaO6YhuTttpZisZDrMT2FQgok1cpUO1iasPQR036_3PNrkT9VtLYG-Ded2M_JLpSuDuwEUSWB90X2BU/s200/PE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343594503741839282" /></a><br /><br />Believe it or not, there used to be a fairly extensive network of rail lines in Southern California. The removal of all the streetcars is known as the "Great American Streetcar Scandal" also the "General Motors Streetcar Conspiracy" in which the streetcar systems were replaced with buses illegally by General Motors, Firestone Tire, Standard Oil of California, Phillips Petroleum, Mack and the Federal Engineering Corporation. Those gave rise to the Car Culture of the U.S.<br /><br />It is often said that driving is a privilege, but in southern California it seems like driving is a necessity, (especially considering there are exemptions made for people with revoked licenses to be able to drive to and from work, and the lack of an efficient mass transit system in places like Orange County).<br /><br />It is unclear if Pomona's rail system suffered from the same fate or if it was a victim of the Great Depression. <br /><br />However, the Pacific Electric lines that ran through the city were indeed some of the "World's Wonderland Lines" as the slogan for PE goes.<br /><br />The first rails in the city were put in only twelve years after the city was founded in 1875. There were Five lines in the early lines Four of which were HORSE DRAWN and the last one was a small scale steam engine.<br /><br /><br />By 1907 Pacific Electric had purchased all the lines and began installing 8 more lines up through 1910:<br />Garey from 4th to walnut,<br />Walnut St. to Park<br />West Holt<br />East Holt<br />West Second<br />South Garey and E. 5th<br />South Gary and Franklin<br />Ganesha Park<br /><br />By 1924 after WWI, PE applied to abandon the lines and the rails were removed in 1925.<br /><br />Could you imagine what it'd be like if we had rails in Pomona today? It's unlikely to ever happen. I always hear that cost is a big issue. But is it really? <br /><br />I have a personal agenda againt cars which I don't expect everyone else to have. But I'm telling you life would be so much easier if one didn't have to care for an automobile that needs constant upkeep. Plus if we had a rail system and you car broke down, you wouldn't have to rent a car.<br /><br />I always wonder what it would have been like to live back in that time and to be riding electric rail street cars around town. Probably pretty awesome.<br /><br />for more info on Pomona Rails click <a href="http://www.erha.org/pelines/peepll.htm">Here</a>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827565756014550602noreply@blogger.com5