Recent Comments
Re: “Take This Turnip at a Seed Swap”
I used to go to lots of seed swaps before I got so heavily into perennials. They're an amazing experience of local abundance.
BTW, to everyone who got some of my Maximillian sunflower seeds at the BASIL swap, I should have put a warning on them. They are both perennial, strongly spreading and aggressive re-seeders. If you let them go to seed, you'll be pulling little maxie seedlings out of your garden forever. On the other hand, the birds love the seeds, the stalks make good garden stakes, they flower sooner than other sunflowers and the shoots are edible. Just make sure you seriously thin when they're still young. Don't worry about bits of root coming up when you pull them - there's plenty more where that came from.
Re: “Lack of Weed an 'Emergency' in Oakland”
There's no lack of weeds in Oakland. Morning glory drapes itself all over fences and trees, ivy strangles everything, blackberry forms huge, untamed brambles...
Oh, not those kinds of weeds. Given how carefully the stuff is cultivated these days, perhaps that nickname is a bit outdated, though does fit well in headlines.
Re: “Reading, Writing and Replanting”
I have visited several school garden classes and attended a conference for school garden teachers and I can say that this criticism is way off base, typical reactionary BS. Getting kids gardening is probably the best thing that can be done for their long-term prospects.
1) Kids who garden eat veggies. Kids with a more balanced diet focus better in class.
2) Teachers use gardens as a way to teach academic subjects in a hands-on way. Kids are much more likely to remember math and science in the context of stuff they've actually seen and done than what they've read in a book or seen on a chalkboard.
3) School gardens help get the community (i.e. parents) involved. Parental involvement is the biggest factor in student success. Anything that helps them get involved will be a big win.
If you have any doubts about how awesome school gardens are for the kids, talk to a few schoolkids about it. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Re: “Oakland's Koreatown Isn't Your Typical Ethnic Enclave”
Would folks be less upset if everyone just kept calling it Kimchi Row? BTW, Koryu is the best restaurant there. I hear good things about Smokey's though.
Re: “Your Black Muslim Bakery Is Back In Business”
We went into the old one on San Pablo once and they did (eventually, after other, non-white people who came in after us) serve us. Way too much mayo on the sandwich, though. But it was very tasty.
Re: “Your TV Causes Global Warming”
Big TVs might be comparative hogs, but not nearly so bad as that Montgomery Ward freezer lurking in the garage or utter lack of insulation (Remember what Mom said, you don't want to heat the whole out of doors).
Replace any fridge or freezer if it's more than a decade old and enjoy your big screen in peace (as long as you unplug it when it's not in use).
Readers' Favorites
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Ashkenaz
- 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley Berkeley-West CA 94702
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510-525-5054
- Ashkenaz.com
- (based on 1 user review)
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Giovanni Restaurant
- 2420 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley Berkeley-Downtown CA 94704
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510-665-7700
- OriginalGiovanni.com
- (based on 2 user reviews)
Re: “Whole Foods or Major Headache?”
El Cerrito already has El Cerrito Natural Grocery, which is infintely better than any Whole Foods I've ever been in.