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lailoken · 4 years ago

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“Elder (Sambucus nigra), also known as boor or bour tree.

Elder is one of the most enigmatic plants in British folk tradition. On one hand it is feared and associated with WITCHES and on the other it is valued for its protective qualities, as a fly repellent, and for its use in many herbal remedies.

The whole plant hath a narcotic smell; it is not well to sleep under its shade. [Withering, 1776: 186]

[In Leitrim, Waterford and the south of Ireland] the elder or 'bore' tree is believed to have been the tree from which Judas Iscariot hanged himself. The proof of which is the fact that its leaves have an 'ugly smell', and, moreover, that its fruit has since degenerated from its original size and excellent flavour, and become worthless both as to size and taste. [Anon., 1916: 425]

It was said at Beckley that if you burn elder wood you will become bewitched. You never cut it down. In Wootton they say that the elder is a witch tree. You should not mend a wattle hedge with it, as it will give the witches power. If you cut it, it will bleed. [Oxfordshire Women's In- stitute groups, 1950s]

Unlucky to burn Tramman [elder], it is the FAIRIES’ tree. [Lezayre, Isle of Man, c.1975; Manx Folklife Survey]

Normally in the Isle of Man elder is the fairies' tree which is unlucky to cut down, or burn when fallen. I was told in 1992 by a forestry worker of his pleasure that a large elder had blown over into the field adjoining his garden and thus relieved him of the need to find someone willing to remove it. [Union Mills, Isle of Man, October 1993]

Elder flowers—it is alright to pick the flowers for wine or culinary use, but the tree is a friend of witches and the wood should never come into the house. [Ashreigney, Devon, July 1983]

Elder—unlucky to bring either flowers or wood into a house: (a) because it is the witches' tree, (b) because it was believed that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree, (c) because if you fall asleep under elder flowers the scent will poison you or you will never wake up. [Driffield, Humber- side, March 1985]

Collecting firewood from the hedges surrounding the cottage and returning happily laden, but being accused of bringing bits of elder into the house—it was considered unlucky to use these to light a fire. [Bow Street, Dyfed, October 1984]

The only unlucky plant which I have heard of is the elder tree, which the old people looked upon as unlucky. As I have heard the old people say, it was unhealthy to have an elder tree growing near the house as it was often noted the inhabitants seemed more prone to TUBERCULOSIS or 'Consumption' as it was known in Ireland in the old days. However, as TB was rampant all over the country at that time, I don't know if the belief would have any significance. My own people however would not cut down an elder bush or burn it no matter how old or rotten it was. Nor allow an elder stick in the house, and it would be an unforgivable act to strike a child or even an animal with one. [Kill Village, Co. Kildare, October 1984]

The family name dies out on the property where the elder grows in the kitchen garden. [Skibbereen, Co. Cork, January 1993]

Do you know the Rollright Stones in Oxfordshire? You can't count them; you never get the same number twice. In the next field there is a big stone called King Arthur, and there are various stones called after his Knights around. There are some elder bushes nearby. We used to go there as children on our bicycles and try to count the stones. We were told that if we picked a flower or a berry from these elderberry bushes we would be turned into stone. We used to dare each other to pick a berry or a flower, but no one ever did. [Mitcham, Surrey, May 1986]

However, in the early part of the nineteenth century:

On Midsummer Eve, when the 'eldern' tree was in blossom, it was a custom for people to come up to the King Stone and stand in a circle. Then the 'eldern' was cut, as it bled 'the King moved his head.' [Evans, 1895: 20]

Sometimes it was thought that wood, berries, or flowers could be safely taken from an elder only if the tree's permission had been sought first.

Hearing one day that a baby in a cottage close to my own was ill, I went across to see what was the matter. Baby appeared right enough, and I said so; but its mother promptly explained. 'It were all along of my maister's thick 'ed; it were in this how: t'rocker cummed off t'cradle, an' he hedn't no more gumption than to mak' a new ’un out on illerwood without axing the Old Lady's leave, an' in coorse she didn't like that, and she came and pinched t'wean that outrageous he were a'most black i' t' face; but I bashed 'un off, an putten an' esh 'un on, an' t'wean is as gallus as owt agin.' This was something quite new to me, and the clue seemed worth following up. So going home I went straight down to my backyard, where old Johnny Holmes was cutting up firewood—‘chopping kindling,' as he would have said. Watching the opportunity, I put a knot of elder-wood in the way and said, 'You are not feared of chopping that are you ?' 'Nay, he replied at once, 'I bain't feared of choppin' him, he bain't wick (alive); but if her were wick I dussn't, not without axin’ the Old Gal's leave, not if it were ever so'.. . (The words to be used are): 'Oh, them's slape enuff.' You just says, 'Owd Gal, give me of thy wood, and Oi will give some of moine, when I graws inter a tree.' [Heanley, 190I: 55]

If you chop an elder tre e or fell it, you should bow three times and say:

Old Woman, Old Woman, Give me some of your wood And when I am dead I'll give you some of mine. [Whitwick, Leicestershire, August 1983]

[Staffordshire, 1930s:] my mother said it was the thing if one wanted blossoms or fruit from an elder tree to say 'Please Mother Elder may I have .. .' [Ponsanooth, Cornwall, November 1993]

In addition to records of elder being inauspicious, there are many rec- ords of it being a beneficial, protective tree.

[In Northumberland] an old man told me that his aunt used to keep a piece of bour tree, or elder, constantly in her kist (chest) to prevent her clothes from malign influence. [Hardy, 1895: 325]

In south Wales it was deemed very dangerous to build any premises on or near the spot where an eldertree stood. In the past an elder planted before the door of a cow-shed or stable protected the cows and horses from witchcraft and sorcery. [Trevelyan, 1909: 103]

[In Scotland elder was] often planted near old crofts and cottages as protection from witches. [Webster, 1978: 342]

[In Guernsey elder] had to be planted as near as possible to the back door, the most used entrance, since it was a sacred tree and a good protection against witchcraft. [McClintock, 1987: 33]

[In Ireland] it is considered lucky to have an elderberry bush grow near your house, especially if it is "self-set'. [Bracknell, Berkshire, August 1984]

Mother used elder leaves to make a pattern on the floor-bricks. Painting around them with red paint. Making the cross with elder leaves. This was an old custom, going back to her grandmother's time, so the custom had to be continued despite the time-consuming nature of the work. [Bow Street, Dyfed, March 1984]

Elder: this was called Boortree... The leaves were boiled and the water used to dose pigs. For this purpose, and because it was supposed to be a protection against LIGHTNING, there was a tree of it at every house. It can still be seen growing in places where there are no houses now, but where houses were years ago. [Lenamore, Co. Longford, April 1991]

Family folklore passed on to me includes . . . one should plant a ROWAN and elder tree and never cut them down, in order to keep witches away. [Parkstone, Dorset, June 1991]

I can remember as a child elder growing around the wooden bottom-of-the-garden 'lavvy' at my uncle's farm near Brentwood, Essex, and many other similar loos with elder adjacent. I was told that the elder would live 'almost for ever', as if one root died off another would spring from a fallen branch or twig. They were treated with 'respect' as they kept away bad magic—no one used the word 'witches'—but the inference was there. [Yafforth, North Yorkshire, January 1990]

More usually elder trees were planted around toilets and other build ings to deter FLIES.

Elder bushes are invariably to be seen outside the dairy windows on the north side of old-fashioned farmhouses in the Midlands. This was done because elder-leaves are supposed to be very objectionable to flies, wasps and other insects, the tree thus provided both shade and protection. For the same reason a switch of elder with leaves on is used when taking or driving a swarm of bees. [N &Q, 11 ser. 12: 489, 1915]

When inspecting a slaughter house [in Cornwall] a summer or two ago, I commented on the absence of flies, and was told that this was due to a large elder bush growing some feet away and that branches of elder in any building would keep flies away. [Peter, 1915: 123]

An elderberry tree was always grown near the house—I think it was to keep flies away. [Didcot, Oxfordshire, February 1991]

According to some friends of mine elderberry bushes were planted by water butts and outside privies so that the smell would keep the flies away. [Horseheath, Cambridgeshire, April 1991]

As a youth my late father worked on the land...Often handling horses it was common practice to tie bunches of elder leaves to the harness to ward off flies. [St Osyth, Essex, February 1989]

My wife, who comes from Northumberland, tells me that her mother used to make up a concoction with elder flower when she was a child. All the family washed their faces in it to keep virulent Northumbrian midges at bay. She remembers it smelling not too pleasant, and tended to keep other children away as well, so she would take the first opportunity to wash it off! [Hexham, Northumberland, June 1988]

About twelve years ago in Girton, Cambridge, a small swarm of bees (apparently known as a 'cast') settled on a plum tree in our garden, about six feet up. A neighbour, Mr C. G. Puck (now 84 years old), a retired shepherd and lifelong beekeeper, came to collect the bees. He removed the queen bee from the swarm and placed her under a small open wooden box inverted on the ground under the tree. He then asked for a sprig of elder and laid this about nine inches above the swarm, saying that the smell of it was disliked by bees, and by the early evening all the bees had moved into the box . . . He had learned of the use of elder in this fashion from his beekeeper father, in his native village of Thriplow, south Cambridgeshire. [Girton, Cambridge, May 1988]

On the Isle of Man:

Each old cottage has a 'trammon', or elderberry tree, outside the door. This is used by the 'Phynodderree' to swing in. He is a kind of faun who can bring much luck, and even helps materially in outside work. [Daily News, 27 January 1926]

[Fairies] liked most of all to swing and play in the elder trees, and these were always thought of as fairy trees in the Isle of Man. There wasn't a house or farm that didn't have its 'tramman' tree planted by the door or in the garden 'for the fairies'. Many of them are still to be seen; the single tree will soon have grown into a thicket, hiding the old ruined house, but a sure sign that a house once stood there . . . When the wind was blowing the branches, it was then that the fairies were believed to be riding the tramman trees, but it was said that they would desert a house or a farm where the trees had been cut down. This must have happened only very rarely: no-one would cut a branch of the tramman, let alone the tree itself, but if it was done the fairies grieved. [Killip, 1975: 35]

Regardless of whether elder is considered to be malevolent or protec- tive, most of the folk beliefs associated with the tree appear to be con- cerned with its protection and preservation. Two quotations from herbalists writing in the 1940s demonstrate the value of the elder tree.

[According to my [g*psy] friend] the healingest tree that on earth do grow be the elder, them sez, and take it all round I should say 'twas. [Quelch, 1941: 78]

[Elder has] the unusual distinction of being useful in every part. [Ransom, 1949: 55]

Thus it is possible that the various folk beliefs associated with elder were due, at least in part, to efforts to protect a valuable resource.

The period when elder flowered was sometimes considered to be a time when the weather was poor. In the Basingstoke area of Hampshire this time was known as the elderbloom winter [Maida Hill, Lon- don, December 1982], while in Cheshire:

Weather prophets say that if the weather breaks while the elder-flowers are coming out, it will be soaking wet (in Cheshire parlance, drabbly) until they fade. [Hole, 1937: 49]

Francis Bacon (1561–1626) recorded: 'They say' WARTS can be removed by rubbing them 'with a Green Elder Sticke and then bury- ing the Sticke to rot in Mucke' [Bacon, 1631: 258]. Similarly:

A 15-year-old girl, writing in 1954, says that her grandfather told her to pick a small twig of elderberry, touch her warts with it, chant the words, “Wart, wart, on my knee, Please go, one, two, three” and put it 'down the toilet'. [Opie, 1959: 315]

Elder is, perhaps, the wild plant most widely used in folk medicine.

Queen of all Forest [of Dean] remedies was 'ellum blow tea'...The flowers were gathered in the spring and hung up to dry in closed paper bags ... in the kitchen ... You dared not sneeze in the winter or down came the bag, a good handful was put in a jug, covered with boiling water, covered with a tea towel, and left to infuse. One had to force this evil-smelling brew down one's throat willy-nilly. I loathed it, and to this day can recall that smell of cats which emanated from it. Poultices of the mixture were used for SPRAINS, aches, etc., in joints, also for boils and 'gathered' fingers—whitlows and so on. It seemed to be a universal panacea; the only use it didn't have was for constipation . . . Elder berries were favoured too; they were boiled up with sugar, the resulting syrup strained, bottled, and used in winter for coughs and colds . . .There is not a Forester alive over the age of 70 who does not know ellum blow tea. [Cinder- ford, Gloucestershire, November 1993]

Elder berries when fried with mutton fat are used for BOILS and ULCERS. [IFCSS MSS 414: 43, Co. Clare]

Elder root when boiled and the water drank supposed to cure RHEUMAT- ISM. [IFCSS MSS 700: 35, Co. Meath]

An infusion of elder flowers in boiling water will alleviate PILES. [Horsted Keynes, West Sussex, February 1991]

A green ointment could be made from the leaves, based on mutton fat, and the creamy white flowers made Elderflower Water for the complexion. The flowers, dried in the sun and stored in a paper bag make a good remedy to break a hard COUGH and bring up phlegm. I always pick and dry some when they are in bloom, put the full of your fingers (one hand) in a mug, pour boiling water over and let it infuse for ten minutes. A little milk or fruit juice can be added. [Lenamore, Co. Longford, April 1991]

For flus and FEVERS

40 oz whiskey bottle. Pick, clean, weigh, one pound ripe elder berries. Delete the strings (most strings anyway) using a fork, and put berries into empty bottle. Add 4 lb sugar. Top up with a bottle (or most of a bottle) of whiskey. Seal well. Store for 3 months and strain. Use strongest spirit. Dose—Strong glass of this 'Elderfire'—add hot water (as hot as possible) and drink. Take 2 or 3 spoons of honey with drink. Repeat each night (or more frequently)–usually two nights is sufficient to clear the flu/fever results guaranteed. [Killarney, Co. Kerry, September 1991]

[My mother, who was 94 when she died in 1987] used to collect elder-flower in the spring, and dried it. In the winter if we had colds or flu, the elderflower was put in a jug covered with boiling water and put on the hob to stew. At night we were given this (strained) with sugar and a few drops of peppermint oil added. We were given a teacup full of this at night, and in the morning we had to drink half a cupful of this cold mixture. It was supposed to sweat out the fever. She used to tell me how she pulled me through PNEUMONIA by poulticing with hot flannel and sips of elderflower tea, day and night. [Hill, Worcestershire, October 1991]

When my three children were small and we had wintery weather (and it can be very cold up here at the foot of the Cairngorms), I made elder-flower wine, and when it was time for them coming from school I had three cups, bowl of sugar, bottle of elderflower wine and the kettle boiling, and I gave them a tody; they never had colds or flu. [Boat-of-Garten, Inverness-shire, November 1991]

Elder flowers and berries are widely collected by makers of homemade wines. The flowers can also be used in cooking [Ó’Ceirin, 1980: o1), and the fruits have been recommended as a substitute for currants [Ransom, 1949: 55]. Elder leaves have been used as a TOBACCO substitute.

Myself, my brother and a friend always smoked elder leaves when money was not available for tailor-made cigarettes. We spent much time in the woodland of Thetford Chase, where on our regular walks we would break down, but not completely snap off, small sprigs of the elder. We found that if we severed the supply of sap completely the leaves on the sprig would dry out resulting in a hot strong smoke. We found that if the leaves remained just slightly damp they were a quite pleasant smoke. It was obviously trial and error, sometimes they remained too wet to burn properly. We would stuff the leaves very lightly into the stems of various umbellifers...We actually prefered these cigarettes to the tailor-made, but they were not available during winter. [West Stow, Suffolk, November 1992]

Elder wood is characterized by its pith, which can be easily removed.

[On Colonsay] boys aspiring to be pipers made chanters of the young branches [of elder], which are full of pith and easily bored. [McNeill, 1910: 130].

Haw-blowers are made by scooping the pith out of an elder branch. Haws are blown through these. [IFCSS MSS 700: 338, Co. Meath]

The people of the parish were able to make toy guns. They got an elder stick about one and a half feet long and scraped out the inside. Then they got a stick about the same length and made it fit into the hole and then the gun was made. [IFCSS MSS 867: 132, Co. Kilkenny]

At the the beginning of the century children in parts of Devon used to make pop-guns' out of elder: they would force a hole through the pith, and then fashion a ram-rod out of HAZEL WOOD. Chewed paper would be rammed down the hollowed elder sticks, and pressed out with considerable force. Great sport ensued. [Lafonte, 1984: 35]

There was another use for the Boor tree in olden times. A suitable length was cut and seasoned, then the white pith in the centre was scraped out, lead was then melted and poured in. When set, this made a good weapon for protection on a journey or out walking at night...My aunt who was born in 1894 remembered one man who had such a stick. [Lenamore, Co. Longford, April 1991]

[In Horsefield, Cambridgeshire] for winter feeding one beekeeper used to make little troughs out of elder wood; he cut pieces about the thickness of a finger and five or six inches long, tapered off one end and removed the pith, and used them for replenishing the bees' honey by inserting this end in the exit hole. [Parsons MSS, 1952]”

—

Oxford Dictionary of Plant-Lore

by Roy Vickery

#elder #elder tree #elderberry #elder mother #plant lore #herbcraft #folklore #Roy Vickery #Oxford Dictionary of Plant-Lore

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encyclopika · 4 years ago

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Animal Crossing Fish - Explained #124

Brought to you by a marine biologist and...goddamnit

CLICK HERE FOR THE AC FISH EXPLAINED MASTERPOST!

Wow, here’s another one I missed while it was available in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s fine. I’m fine. So today’s not-a-fish is the mussel, another bivalve mollusk. ACNH features so many different kinds of bivalves because they are super important to people; they are not only a healthy food option, but are also an animal that provides an ecosystem service.

I’m not going to waste space here explaining what bivalves are again - check out my articles on the Scallop, Oyster, Manila Clam, Gigas Giant Clam, and Pearl Oyster for more facts, because damn do we have a lot to cover.

True Mussels are in the Order Mytilida within the Bivalve class of Mollusks. They are all typically this shape you see above, are filter-feeders, and, like their cousins the oysters, prefer to sit in the same spot their whole lives as a “mostly” immobile adult. Some mussels live in the deep, dark abyss near black smokers and other semi-permanent habitats down there, but for the most part, mussels are generally coastal, inter-tidal species. The mussel featured in Animal Crossing is most likely a member of the Blue Mussel Complex. I know that sounds like a band name, but let me explain.

Blue Mussels are typically known scientifically as Mytilus edulis, however, it’s been found that species that look very much like Mytilus edulis are actually other species that occur within the same range and very often hybridize with each other. The complex encompasses at least 3 very closely related taxa, one of which occurs on both sides of the North Pacific, which includes Hokkaido, Japan. I really doubt the ACNH developers thought this hard about this, but in an effort to be really scientific, this is most likely representing Mytilus trossulus, the North Pacific member of the Mytilus edulis complex, also known as the Bay Mussel or Foolish Mussel.

From this site. This picture is showing a black phase mussel and brown phase mussel, the latter of which is rarer than the former. Obviously, the ACNH model is of the black phase.

Taxa in the Mytilus edulis complex collectively occur in temperate, coastal areas with lots of hard substrate onto which the mussels can attach themselves via their byssus threads. These threads are made of proteins the mussel secretes. Unlike the oyster, which plants itself in a spot via biological cement, the byssus threads mussels make can be broken and remade. In this way, mussels can move from their spot when it’s no-longer advantageous to be there.

By Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5309651

Mussels use their byssus threads to make huge aggregations called “mussel beds” in which hundreds to thousands of mussels congregate. They will also attach to plant roots and other hard substances, creating natural wave breakers that protect vulnerable shoreline. Here on Long Island, NY, we are actually having erosion problems because we’ve had a history of stupidly removing mussel beds and other bivalve structures in favor of cement which sucks at stopping storm surge. In this way, mussels, as well as other kinds of bivalves that create structures like this provide what’s called an “ecosystem service”, or very generally, something nature does for free. Our lives really do depend on these ecosystem services. Plant pollination from bees, erosion and flood control from trees, and storm surge protection from bivalves are only some of the things nature does for free that we’d be very screwed without.

And there you have it. Fascinating stuff, no?

#mussel #animals #animal crossing #marine biology #acnh #bivalve #animal crossing new horizons #science in video games #animal crossing fish explained

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xtruss · 4 years ago

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A frozen tuna enters a cleaning machine at the Grupo Pinsa processing plant in Mazatlán, Mexico. Tuna from Mexico is restricted from being sold in the U.S. with a dolphin safe label because some fisheries in the region continue to chase and net dolphins when catching the fish. PHOTOGRAPH BY SUSANA GONZALEZ/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

— By Rene Ebersole | March 10, 2021 | National Geographic

Jennie Dusheck makes a habit of preparing for the worst. When the California writer realized a few years ago that wildfires and smoke-filled air were becoming an annual inevitability, she bought Israeli gas masks in case it became difficult to breathe. In December 2019, when many West Coasters were looking forward to heavy snow forecasts for skiing, she fretted about the threat of mudslides and wrote an article about how to survive one. With the news of a mysterious disease in China the following February and concerns about food shortages if it spread to the U.S., Dusheck hurried to the grocery store to stock up on staples—pasta, peanut butter, nuts, sardines, tuna.

She felt a little guilty about the tuna, “because there aren’t a lot of fish left in the sea,” she says. “But it was an indulgence that would keep—and I wanted something besides walnuts.”

Of course, Dusheck wasn’t the only pandemic prepper stockpiling tuna. Early on, canned tuna sales doubled. In July 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that the increased demand for tuna, compounded by pandemic-related port closures and worker quarantines, was challenging some tuna companies to keep up.

The majority of tuna arrives at processing facilities frozen. After thawing, the fish is steam-baked to allow for easy removal of the skin and bones. Workers seen at the Grupo Pinsa processing plant in Mazatlán, Mexico, are cleaning the meat, which will be cooked a second time before it’s machine-packed in cans. PHOTOGRAPH BY SUSANA GONZALEZ/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

While the pandemic has been a boon to business, tuna companies have for years struggled with declining sales and perceptions about their product being tainted with toxic mercury, harmful to the environment, and passé with millennials. The newfound popularity of tuna hasn’t freed the longtime staple from controversy, however. The three largest U.S. tuna brands—StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Chicken of the Sea, which collectively account for up to 80 percent of the national market—are facing class action lawsuits claiming that they’re defrauding shoppers with marketing campaigns touting dolphin safety and a commitment to sustainability.

The suits come on the heels of a price fixing scandal involving the big three working together to sell their products at inflated costs. StarKist, acquired by Dongwon Industries in South Korea, pleaded guilty and was fined $100 million. Bumble Bee, recently purchased by the Taiwan seafood conglomerate FCF Co, Ltd., also pleaded guilty and was fined $25 million. The company’s former chief, Christopher Lischewski, who maintained his innocence, is now serving 40 months in a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona. Chicken of the Sea, owned by Bangkok seafood seller Thai Union, was granted amnesty for blowing the whistle on the others.

The dolphin-safe court battle could drag on for years, but it raises important questions for consumers aiming to buy products that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. (Here’s what the different labels on tuna cans mean.)

“People often see a label on a can and think things are taken care of,” says Ryan Bigelow, senior manager of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, which makes science-based, sustainable seafood recommendations to grocery shoppers. “The reality is there’s often still a lot more work to be done.”

Gone Fishing

Scientists say there’s one inescapable certainty in any type of commercial fishing: incidental bycatch, the lackluster term for marine life—from whales and dolphins to sharks, seabirds, and endangered sea turtles—unintentionally hooked or ensnared in nets. Fishing methods associated with dolphin bycatch include gillnets, purse seine nets, fish aggregating devices, and longlines.

Each name fittingly describes how the technique works. Gillnets are made of mesh that snags fish by their gills as they swim through it. Purse seine nets encircle schooling fish, which become trapped when the net is cinched, or “pursed,” by a metal cable from the bottom. Often used in combination with purse seines, fish aggregating devices (FADs) are floating rafts attached to a sonar-equipped satellite buoy; they take advantage of the natural tendency for fish to congregate beneath such things as logs drifting in the ocean. Longlines trail up to 50 miles of fishing rope baited with thousands of hooks.

Turkish fishing boats deploy a purse seine net to surround a school of bluefin tuna in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Bluefin tuna, highly prized for sashimi, are in steep decline from overfishing. Globally, there are 15 species of tuna; albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack are favored for canning. PHOTOGRAPH BY GAVIN NEWMAN, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

A purse seine net traps a school of skipjack near North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Globally, many tuna fisheries use purse seines, fish aggregating devices (FADs), and longlines—methods that indiscriminately kill dolphins and other marine life as bycatch. When buying canned tuna, choose pole-caught or troll-caught varieties. PHOTOGRAPH BY SHANE GROSS / NPL VIA MINDEN PICTURES

The volume of dolphins and other marine life caught as bycatch from these fishing methods is “staggering,” says Zak Smith, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council who contributed to a 2014 report titled Net Loss: The Killing of Marine Mammals in Foreign Fisheries. The report cites data estimating that 650,000 marine mammals including dolphins, whales, and seals are caught or seriously injured in fisheries every year. “Three hundred thousand of those animals are cetaceans [whales, dolphins, and porpoises],” Smith says, “and the vast majority of them are dolphins because there are a lot more dolphins than anything else.”

The Indian Ocean and the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean—770,000 square miles of blue water and archipelagos off the coast of Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, and Columbia— are infamous for dolphin bycatch. In the Indian Ocean, scientists estimate that four million dolphins have died in the region’s poorly regulated gillnet fisheries since the 1950s. The researchers report that roughly 80,000 dolphins are now killed as bycatch annually.

In the tropics of the eastern Pacific Ocean, fishermen have long used dolphin schools as living fish finders, signaling a tuna payload in the deep. This is the only region in the world where a commercial fishery overlaps with the unique, and poorly understood phenomenon of spotted, spinner, and other species of dolphins routinely swimming with schools of yellowfin tuna.

In the old days, seamen chummed the dolphin-rich waters with baitfish, drawing tuna to the surface, where they could hook them with poles. By the late 1950s, however, bait fishermen had widely switched to purse seining, and they commonly targeted and chased the dolphins to corral their tuna catch in the center of nets that could be up to a mile long and 80 feet deep. Scientists estimate that more than six million dolphins were killed by eastern tropical Pacific tuna purse seiners in the three decades before the mid 1990s.

The tipping point came in 1987, when a 31-year-old biologist named Samuel LaBudde (pronounced “LaBuddy”) went undercover as a cook on a Panamanian tuna vessel. On a four-month voyage, he filmed hundreds of dolphins dying as they were hefted from the ocean.

"Drowned or snagged in the net, the dolphins fight a losing battle for life," LaBudde said, narrating the graphic video, broadcast on television and presented before the U.S. Congress. "Some will fall back into the sea as flippers and beaks are broken or ripped out of their bodies, only to become ensnared moments later and be pulled out once again."

Public outrage led to an amendment of the U.S.’s Marine Mammal Protection Act to better protect dolphins and one of the most successful consumer boycotts in national history. “It infected people with a sense of injustice and anger,” LaBudde says. “Thousands of school children refused to eat canned tuna.” In response to the uproar, the big three U.S. tuna companies proclaimed in 1990 that they would not purchase any tuna captured in nets along with dolphins.

Furthermore, the newly signed Dolphin Safe Consumer Information Act of 1990 made it illegal for any tuna product exported from or sold in the U.S. to claim that it’s “dolphin safe” unless it’s in compliance with a bevy of complex U.S. laws and regulations designed to protect dolphins. Demand for dolphin-safe tuna in the U.S. drove many fisheries to adopt the standards, but tuna caught in association with dolphins continues to be sold in Latin America, Asia, and some European countries.

“The U.S. dolphin safe program has been very effective,” says Sara McDonald, a senior fisheries scientist at Monterey Bay Aquarium. “Dolphin mortality in the 1980s was 130,000. In 2018, there were 819 documented deaths. If your product has a dolphin safe label, you are legally obligated not to sell tuna where dolphins were injured, killed, or set upon. It doesn’t mean dolphins aren’t interacting with the tuna fisheries; it means that tuna can’t be sold in this country.”

Accusations of Fraud

The Natural Resources Defense Council’s Smith says he believes that most tuna sold in the U.S. with a dolphin-safe tuna seal is legitimate, but because tuna is a global commodity with very long supply chains, there are opportunities for fraud and deception. “The U.S. laws are good if everyone is being honest,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean nothing ever gets in. There is an incredible amount of illegal wildlife moving into the country. [Law enforcement] can’t catch it all.”

The dolphin-safe tuna class action suits charge that the tuna companies are not being honest about the integrity of their supply chains. More broadly, they allege that the companies have run pervasive advertising campaigns that lead consumers to trust that the companies “never” kill dolphins. For example, the group of people suing Starkist allege that parent company Dongwon’s distant water boats often entrap dolphins, because many are purse-seine fishing vessels that use fish aggregating devices to capture tuna. (Neither purse seine nets nor FADS are banned under U.S. dolphin-safe fishing standards.)

A crew member on the Steve Irwin, the flagship vessel of the conservation nonprofit Sea Shepherd, cradles a common dolphin killed by an illegal drift net in the South Indian Ocean during the group's Operation Driftnet campaign. The UN banned drift nets in 1992 because they kill non-target fish and other wildlife such as sea turtles. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ELIZA MUIRHEAD / SEA SHEPHERD GLOBAL

“Either the companies should stop accepting tuna from these fishing practices or be up front with consumers that they’re not dolphin safe, even though they may be in compliance with the law,” says Stuart Davidson, one of the lead plaintiff attorneys in the lawsuits. “We want restitution for everyone in the country who paid more than they should have because the tuna was caught with these methods.”

StarKist officials, according to court documents, say it’s unrealistic for consumers to expect that the label means zero harm or injury to dolphins and other wildlife because bycatch is an inescapable reality of any fishery, no matter whether tuna is caught with purse seines or more dolphin-friendly poles—a reality that’s accepted and acknowledged under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act.

Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea did not respond to interview requests. A StarKist spokesperson would not comment on the litigation but provided a statement about the company’s commitment to protecting dolphins. “StarKist does not purchase any tuna caught in association with dolphins,” the spokesperson said, and “condemns the use of indiscriminate fishing methods that trap dolphins, whales, and other marine life along with the intended catch of fish.”

Peeling Back the Labels

As a federal court in California weighs the dolphin-safe lawsuits, sustainable seafood experts offer guidance on how to buy canned tuna that is not only dolphin safe but also environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

“The misconception is if it’s not hurting dolphins, then it must be okay,” says oceans expert and renowned environmental author Carl Safina, who spearheaded a sustainable seafood guide when he was working for the National Audubon Society in the 1990s. “But the reality is it’s likely to be hurting some other non-target species in a big way, or simply depleting the species. The overwhelming majority of tuna populations are overfished.”

Buying sustainable seafood pushes retailers to source environmentally responsible products, which can drive improvements throughout the industry, say Monterey Bay scientists involved with the aquarium’s Seafood Watch consumer guide.

In the case of canned tuna, McDonald says it’s best to read labels for descriptions such as “pole-caught” (fishing one tuna at a time) and “troll-caught” (fished by a slow-moving boat dragging lure lines). “Anything else is less sustainable,” she says. “These fisheries have better control of what they’re catching. There’s also a higher survival rate for the bycatch that they throw back.”

The nonprofit activist group Greenpeace has worked for many years to bring to light the environmental and human rights issues associated with tuna fisheries, including dolphin mortalities, endangered sea turtle and shark bycatch, debt bondage, human trafficking, and forced labor. Taking these factors into account, Greenpeace evaluated the sourcing policies and practices of 20 canned tuna brands and published them in a Tuna Shopping Guide.

StarKist, Chicken of the Sea, and Bumble Bee were among the lowest ranked brands featured in the guide. The four top-rated tuna companies were Wild Planet and American Tuna, which tied for first place, followed by Whole Foods and Ocean Naturals. Selling only pole-caught fish, American Tuna supports local and small-scale fishing and production in the U.S. Wild Planet procures pole- and troll-caught tuna from sustainable fisheries in the U.S., Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, and the archipelago of Cape Verde off Africa’s northwestern coast.

Shoppers pay a premium—up to six dollars a can—for eco-friendly tuna brands. Wild Planet founder Bill Carvalho says the higher cost is unavoidable because there’s more labor involved with sustainable fishing. “You can’t do this for 59 cents a can,” he says. “Cheap tuna comes at an astronomically high environmental price. They’re dumping endangered species overboard.”

Safina says he tends to avoid eating tuna—with two exceptions. The first is if he catches it himself. “These fish are the most superb animals. When you kill one and turn it into food, it’s precious,” he says. “If you handle it well and use it as sashimi or put it on the grill and cook it just right, it’s just phenomenal.” Second, if it’s pole-caught. “I have a philosophy that it’s good to support the good actors,” he says. “Even if the good actors are within a bad fishery.”

Many consumers are now left with the question of what to do with all the tuna that they stockpiled—Google searches for canned tuna recipes have soared by 300 percent. Writer Jennie Dusheck has no plans to cook tuna lasagna, fish cakes, or noodle casserole. She’s enjoying her “indulgence” with lettuce, red pepper, celery, and lime juice on some good sourdough bread.

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tarynstable-blog · 6 years ago

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The Quest for Duck Confit

I love all things duck. It has been my dream for many years to learn the age-old authentic preparation of ‘duck confit.’ There is only one place to go to realize that dream--I had to go to Southwest France. Gascony, the heartland of duck confit and all things duck. There are many cooking classes to be explored, but my quest was to find a course that specialized in and featured the making of Duck Confit. I found exactly that and a then some at the Gargantua in Anzex, France, where I enrolled my companion and myself in the intensive, three day 'Fat Duck Course.’ I discovered the course would include in addition to the Duck Confit, a fabulous bonus. I would also learn the preparation of Torchon au Foie Gras, Rillets, Cou Farci, and Gratton. My ideal duck fantasy! About a three-hour drive north of Carcassonne, we arrived late in the afternoon at the farmhouse of Marlene, Thomas, and their two daughters. Originally from Calais, Marlene had learned the traditional methods of cooking from her grandmother. A ruin at the time, her dream was realized when she bought and restored this farmhouse, with the intention to provide cooking courses with accommodations, meals included. Thomas, who is a very talented self-taught cook as well, is very much part of the team. Marlene does the teaching and most of the interaction, Thomas prepares the meals and behind the scenes operations. That first night at Gargantua, my companion and I were treated to the best duck confit of my life in France or the US. It was golden brown, nesting on a bed of fresh broad beans and bright green peas with fresh basil & parsley. The crispiness was perfection as my fork broke through the skin with a crunch and pierced the falling-off-the-bone tender meat. The depth of flavors exploding in my mouth, my full of desire to savor every bite. I couldn’t imagine intentionally cleansing my palate, only how to maintain it. Euphoric, knowing when I completed this course, I too would be able to prepare Duck Confit to the highest standard. The carafe of wine on the table flowed, and the glasses were kept full. The following act was a salad of baby arugula with goat cheese on toasted baguette drizzled with a hint of honey and finished with a balsamic glaze. All farm fresh, a beautiful presentation and delicious.

To finish, we were presented with an apple tart, served with freshly whipped cream. Heady with our welcome, we retired to a deep sound sleep.

Day 2

The morning light filtering into the dining area lit up the quintessential French breakfast table. A feast for the eyes, it was completely laid out with croissants, pain au chocolat, baguettes, cereal, and fresh fruit, along with choices of juices and coffee. This morning, a visit to the duck farm, La Ferme de Ramon, was our adventure. It was a beautiful farm with pastoral countryside views, flowering fragrant trees, shrubbery, and flowers. Butterflies & bees busy pollinating. The fig tree bursting with ripe fruit. The owner invited me to help myself. I plucked a fragrant purple fig from the tree and enjoyed each bite of the warm juicy fruit. The ducks live a relaxed, comfortable lifestyle as they sit resting on the green grass in the outside air under dappled sunlight of the shade trees. They arrive when they are a week old. They are moved to different areas on the 30 hectares of the farm as their age dictates and live in tents together so that they are able to huddle to keep warm. They graze on the grass and are fed the maize from the fields. At 3 months, they are moved to a cage to build fat just prior to slaughter. They are fed gavage twice a day, a porridge of maize and wheat flour. We toured the pristine facility where the final stages take place as well as the Preparation of all parts of the duck. There, on-site they produce a vast number of products from preserved foie gras, smoked margret, rendered fat, and much more. We purchased our duck and foie gras, packaged that morning. Now that is fresh! We returned to a lovely luncheon set out for us on the outdoor wooden table under the tree in the garden. A delicious feast of tomato soup, pate encroute, a green salad, a selection of cheeses and homemade confiture with fresh baguette. Of course, no meal is complete if not accompanied by a very nice red table wine.

Confront the foie gras head on! The deveining process may at first seem intimidating. However, we were encouraged to go boldly forward to seek out and remove the large veins, assured that the foie will be molded back into shape.

Once the deveining mission was accomplished, we prepared the foie gras for the torchon. In this case, instead of a tea towel or cheesecloth, we laid the foie out on a sheet of plastic wrap. We proceeded to season both sides with salt & pepper. Then as if a jigsaw puzzle, arranged and layered the pieces into a 5" inch long, 3 ¼ inch diameter roll, compacting and working the air out before knotting each end. We repeated the wrapping 3 times. The Ballantine were placed into 195F water with the heat turned off for 22 minutes, then immediately removed and set in an ice water bath to cool before refrigerating. Wait at least a day or so before eating.

Second Butchery

Our next task was the secondary butchery the duck. I have never seen a duck this big, like a goose! Slightly intimidated, Marlene reassured us 'the knife knows the way.’ We proceeded to cut piece by piece, first the neck with the head, then the legs, followed by the breast and wings. The fat, the carcass, and the neck had to be removed from its skin. This would be the casing for the coufarci, a lot of work! The fat and the skin went into a large pot on the stovetop. The temperature was set on low to render the fat. Meanwhile…the legs will be used for the confit and are placed in a large dish of salt, then covered with more salt and set in the refrigerator for 12 hours. The breast, necks and all the rest, went into a bowl to be refrigerated until the next day. These will be our ingredients for the Rillettes, Cou Farci, and Grattons. It had been a long but wonderful day. Our dinner was a Navarin, a very delicious lamb stew with root vegetables. The local red table wine made a perfect pairing. For dessert, petite profiteroles with ice cream filling and bathed in a creamy dark chocolate sauce.

Day 3

The morning light danced across the breakfast table, the rooster crowed in the distance, and the aroma of fresh croissants and coffee filled the air.

Our biggest day of cooking so far about to commence, with many elements going simultaneously.

The Confit

The large pot of rendered fat had been skimmed through a sieve and brought to simmer at 200 degrees awaiting the duck legs. We rinsed the salt from the duck legs, patted dry and placed them into the fat, maintaining 200 degrees Fahrenheit to simmer for about 3 hours. Marlene says 'the fat sings a serenade to you.’ She says that depending on how long you intend to store the confit determines how long they would cure in the salt. Because we intend to eat ours soon, 12 hours will be enough. Even though we will cook the duck legs in the fat, they will probably still be salty because we will be eating them soon, within weeks. Evidently, the longer they age, the saltiness lessens. I asked about a tough confit that was not falling off the bone. She reasoned that most likely, it had been cooked too fast and at too high a temperature. After about 3 hours, the skin should pull away from the bone of the drum stick, indicating that it is ready. Marlene gave me verbal instruction on 'how to’ complete the preparation of the confit as follows:

To serve, bring to room temperature. Place the duck legs in a room-temperature pan, then slowly bring up the heat, rendering the fat and ladling that fat onto the meat until the skin is crispy. I consider the crispiness of the skin to be critical to the perfect duck confit. I was definitely unsure of myself successfully accomplishing this task without some hand-holding.

Cou Farci -

Once the duck legs were simmering in the pot, we commenced preparing the Cou Farci (stuffed duck neck).

We put the tenderloins through a meat grinder and added some ground pork, ½ a minced shallot, 1 minced clove garlic,1 tsp salt, a pinch of pepper, a few drops of Armagnac and a portion of beaten egg, just to bind it together. Tie a knot at the small end of the duck neck skin, stuff the mixture tightly into the casing and tie a knot at the open end. We added the Cou Farci to the confit pot to simmer with the duck legs for 1 hour 20 min. Pierced with a toothpick, and the juice runs clear. Then wrapped in plastic, and refrigerated. We will slice it and serve or pan sear when we are ready for a taste.

While in preparation of the duck legs and the Cou Farci we are also preparing a large stock pot for the Rillets. We add a half of a large white onion cut in half with a clove in each, 5 cloves of slightly crushed garlic, half a shallot minced, one carrot, one celery, A small bunch of thyme and one bay leaf, add one cup of dry white wine. Add the carcass of 2 ducks, the wings and necks and all that we had placed in the bowl yesterday. Add one tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon pepper. Cover with water and bring to a simmer for a few several hours until the meat is cooked and tender. We break for lunch under the shade on the old wood table. A mouthwatering spread of vine ripe red & green tomatoes, garden zucchini quiche with the most astonishing light flaky crust! Accompanied by shredded carrot and lentil salads and of course red table wine to complete the meal.

Back in the kitchen, we removed the meat from the stock pot. Removing any meat from the neck and bones shredding as you go. Ladling in some of the stock to keep it moist, salt & pepper to taste. We pat down rillettes mixture into a terrine, ladle about ½ inch of duck fat over the top to completely cover. Refrigerate until ready to taste. Preferably in a few days. Three hours had passed, and it was now time to remove the duck legs from the hot fat. The skin had indeed pulled away from the drumstick bone, indicating that it was ready. I tried a nibble of the meat on one quickly, it did not taste too salty to me. But then, I do love my salt. We placed the cooked duck leg pieces in containers and covered them with the hot fat to then store in the refrigerator.

And now for the Grattons! We slice the bits that had been separated out from the rendered fat and refrigerated and cut into thin strips. Then Arranged them onto a tray and placed into a hot oven. We allowed them to crisp up, about 20 minutes. Removed from the pan onto paper towels to drain the fat, salt to taste. OMG yum! These crispy delicious morsels will be heaven on a green salad. Baggie them, they freeze beautifully.

4 Magret Breasts we had cut awaited.

One breast is adequate per two people. I had thought that Marlene would guide me through the Preparation of the Magret breasts, not the case. I would go it alone, fingers crossed! The verbal instruction 'how to.’ As follows. Score the fat side about ½ inches apart and season. Place them skin side down in an unheated pan on low heat As the fat renders keep pouring it off. Render as much fat so that the skin can be crispy, about 10 minutes. Do not let it get too brown. Turn it over to meat side down for 4 Minutes. Place in a 350-degree oven for10 minutes. Grateful for a respite, to sit and enjoy our last meal a Gargantua.

A beet and goat cheese salad was followed by roasted chicken, juicy and tender cooked to perfection served with sauteed zucchini fresh from the garden. All of the Red table wine required goes without saying! A luscious chocolate mousse completed the meal. I was curious about why we had not tasted any of the items that we had made. I had assumed it was because each recipe was intended to be preserved for days, weeks, or months before eating. I accepted without question that this must have been the intention. I was quite surprised when the morning of our departure, Marlene asked me for my cooler. Cooler?! I am truly confused. I have traveled to Gascony France from Florida and did not plan on toting a cooler. As luck would have it, serendipity was in our favor. It just so happened that our next stop was Roussillon in the Luberon.

We were joining friends who had rented a house, and it had a kitchen! 6 hours later, we arrive at the door bags in hand, loaded down with all things Duck to share with the group. It was the last night in Roussillon when I prepared the duck fete for the 6 of us. The greatest challenge now was to figure out how to operate the European oven & stove top. Secondly and to my mind; most critical, to a perfect the crispy skin of the duck confit. Daunting for an uncertain chef in a foreign kitchen. Now an opportunity to taste our dishes, we begin with the Sliced torchon au Foie Gras and fig confiture on a fresh baguette. The torchon was a success with a sprinkle of finishing salt. The Rillettes was good, but I was underwhelmed with the recipe. I decided that I would try this again with my own tweaks on the recipe once back in my own home kitchen. The Cou Farci too was not an exciting dish after all of the labor involved. Not certain of the best way to serve it, I sliced it into medallions seared in a skillet. I decided to use them as a side to the salad. Simple butter lettuce tossed in olive oil flavored with garlic and basil topped with the crispy Grattons which were a delicious enhancement of texture, salty crunch and flavor. This was good.

The Magret duck breast really did come out as close to perfect as I could have hoped for given the circumstances of the stove top and oven temperature setting issues. I rubbed them with salt and some herb d Provence then scored them about ��" apart. At room temperature, I placed them in the pan, skin side down at medium heat on the stove top. Allowing the fat to render and continue to pour it off until almost completely melted and the skins were a caramelized brown and crispy. I turned them over to the meat side down to sear for about 5 minutes then put them into the 350-degree oven for 7 minutes. Rest & sliced, perfect. Now for the star of the show, the reason behind this adventure, the Duck Confit.

I removed them from their duck fat filled containers and set aside the fat. Following Marlene’s verbal instruction, I placed them again in a room temperature pan, skin side down at low to medium heat. This took a long time because my intention was to get the completely crispy skin like I had that first night at Gargantua. I was presenting this dinner party to my host and friends. Labor intensive as it was, I was not prepared for experimentation with the crisping of the skin technique. The end result was tasty, not too salty, the skin was a complete disappointment the result did not meet my expectation by any stretch on the imagination. I was utterly deflated, I had traveled all this way to learn the authentic technique and had failed in execution. Not only because of the kitchen factors, but I really wasn’t confident about the “how to.” Marlene had not shown me how to 'finish’ Which is a critical aspect to the perfection of the confit.

Problem-solving my way through I quickly determine that frying the skin side down in the fat would render a crispy skin and may be the solution. I determine that I will figure it out in my own home kitchen not when I’m not trying to prepare a Duck Fete for 6 on location! I used some the remaining duck fat to toss into potatoes to roast in the oven with a couple of sprigs of rosemary from the garden to a crispy brown. It was quite an impressive dinner party with so much Duck that it could have served 12. We were all leaving the next morning and had to leave the left over Foie Gras, Rillettes, Magret and all of the precious 'Gold’ Duck Fat behind.

Once back in my own home kitchen, the final leg of the journey began. I studied a vast selection of a dozen or more cookery books and articles ranging from Paula Wolfert’ Cooking of Southwest France’ to Alan Ducasse’ Flavors of France’ comparing recipes and finishing techniques. I surfed the YouTube researching every resource and demonstration I could find to exhaustion. I would venture to say approximately 20 stations all in all. Rating each one as I went along. My quest has been a journey of love of Duck Confit, respect for authentic cuisine of Southwest France, and determination for perfection. I am proud to say that as of today, within two years of my journey to the Gargantua Fat Duck Course, I have now served over one hundred and twenty-five Duck Confit dinners at my table. As Thomas Keller would advise 'practice, practice, practice.’ Yes, Practice does make perfect. My harshest critic being myself, I do believe that I have perfected Duck Confit to my highest of standards that could be had outside of France. I have discovered the best resources for ingredients available and developed my own recipe for Duck Confit, including recommended timing to successfully execute a Duck Dinner Fete for 12.

Living in the United States, there are only two resources for Duck, in my opinion. They are D'Artagnan and Hudson Valley. Overnight delivery is available. Bon Appetite!

Duck Confit Recipe

Resource D’Artagnan online

Serves 12

In Three Steps

Step 1.

12 Duck Legs, rinse & pat dry

Brine Dry-combine

1 ¼ cup Kosher salt

½ Cup granulated sugar

1 TBL. Crushed juniper berry

1 TBL. Quatre Espice

2 tsp. white crushed pepper

Coat each leg in the brine mixture.

Then add the garlic & Thyme between each two

Legs and stack them into a large freezer baggie.

2 large baggies for 6 legs overnight.

24 Thyme Sprig leaves

1 head of garlic, minced

Step 2.

Preheat oven to 300

7.5 – 8 LBS Duck Fat

Rinse the brine from the Duck Legs

Warm duck fat until melted.

Place 6 duck legs in each roasting pan. Pour the warm duck fat over

The duck legs to completely submerge the legs in fat.

Place roasting pan in the hot oven and lower the heat to 250.

Roast for approximately 3 hours. Until the skin pulls away from the

Bone on the end of the leg and the meat is very tender.

Remove the roasting pans from the oven.

Allow to rest for one hour. At this time you may place the duck legs into storage containers. Strain the fat through a

fine sieve to remove bits and completely cover the legs with the fat. Refrigerate

until ready to use. Minimum of two weeks recommended.

Note- I use oven ready storage containers.

Step 3.

Preheat oven to 250

Place the oven ready storage container in the hot oven to gradually melt the fat

and slowly warm the duck legs. When the fat is melted and the duck legs have

warmed through, approximately 30 minutes.

Now at the most critical stage in the perfection of the Duck Confit, Crisp the skin!

In a deep casserole on the stove top, Ladle duck fat so that the fat is about two

inches of deep. Bring the temperature of the fat to 375.

Working one at a time with a sturdy pair of tongs and a slotted spatula, place

each duck leg skin side down into the hot fat while slightly rolling the skin in the

fat so that all of the skin becomes an even golden brown. When all of the skin is

completely crispy and golden brown (about 2 minutes) Remove from the fat and

rest on a cooling rack.

The duck will stay warm for at least 20 minutes if you plan to serve immediately.

Alternatively, If I am hosting a dinner for 12 and attempting to ‘time’ my service.

I have found that the duck will hold well on the racks in a warming oven. However,

the skin will have to be re-crisped.

Preheat the broiler oven and set the oven rack on the second rung.

The duck legs are moved from the warming oven into the broiler.They will begin

to re-crisp under the broiler within about 5 minutes. Perfect!

#duckconfit duckfat cookinginfrance foiegras magret gratton coufarci

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roccorrios · 5 years ago

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Poisonous Plants: Identify Poison, Toxic, & Dangerous (How To List)

Plants are beautiful and if you’re a plant lover, chances are high that you’ve got one or more house plants. But did you know that several common house plants can be poisonous?

Let’s discuss some of the most poisonous plants to be aware of when it comes to child safety or wilderness survival.

Which plants are poisonous to humans?

Here is a list of common and uncommon poisonous plants you should look out for. We also include what parts of the plants you need to be aware of specifically.

Some parts of the plant may only cause skin rashes, while others may cause vomiting or even death from toxic leaves, seeds, or berries.

It’s important to know what to look for in case you have to call poison control. We’ve included photos below to make each one easier to identify.

Helpful resources:

Symptoms of Dehydration (Signs & Stages)

How to tell if a Snake is Poisonous or Not (Non Venomous vs Most Dangerous)

https://survivalistgear.co/emergency-survival-kit/

Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)

This is one of the most poisonous plants in North America. The Water hemlock plant falls in the carrot family and looks like the Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota.) plant While it’s often mistaken with edible celery or parsnips, this plant contains poisonous cicutoxin in its toxic roots.

Eating the wrong parts of the plant with water hemlock can cause abdominal cramps, vomiting diarrhea, painful convulsions, nausea, and may cause death in extreme cases.

Survivors may have to live with lasting tremors and amnesia. Call 911 or poison control immediately if you think an animal or human has eaten it.

Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

If you aren’t familiar with the differences, Poison Hemlock’s leaves, and even other parts, can look similar to popular plants used for food �� like Queen Anne’s lace, yarrow, wild fennel, and elderflower.

Even though it may not be as deadly as Water Hemlock, Poison Hemlock is common in many areas, and still dangerous.

ALL parts of the plant (seeds, flowers, leaves, berries) are poison and contain alkaloids that are toxic for your nervous system, small doses of the poison may upset your system and even cause vomiting, diarrhea, and death from respiratory collapse if eaten.

Note: Poison Hemlock has nothing to do with the Hemlock Tree species which is edible.

Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron Vernix)

Also known as thunderwood, Poison sumac is a common, woody shrub usually found in wet areas like swamps and forests with hardwood or pinewood.

Technically Poison Sumac isn’t poisonous, but contact with the leaves on skin can cause an itching , burning reaction because of an oil called urushiol. Poison sumac is more toxic for skin contact than poison ivy and poison oak.

Poison Oak (Toxicodendron Diversilobum)

Poison Oak is also a common, woody shrub that can be found in Western North America. It also grows in wet, marshy areas like swamps or in forrests. Skin contact with the leaves and even other parts of Poison Oak can cause rashes that itch and blister.

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicans)

Poison ivy is a common, flowering plant commonly found in Asian and Eastern North America. The urushiol oil resin in poison ivy can be found on the roots, leaves, and even stem parts of the plant.

It’s very sticky and can even attach to parts of your clothing. Skin contact with with leaves of a Poison Ivy plant will cause a blistering, uncomfortable rash.

Rosary Pea (Abrus Precatorius)

Rosary Pea, or jequirity beans, are red seeds that have a black spot on them, making the seeds popular to use in jewelry and toys. All parts of the plant are toxic – but the seeds of the plant are especially poisonous for humans.

Eating toxic seeds orally from the plant may cause issues with the GI system including vomiting diarrhea, but rarely causes death. The plant is slender, perennial climber, and has long, pinnate-leafleted leaves and red seeds.

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna)

This poisonous plant bears attractive and sweet berries. Deadly Nightshade can lure both children and adults into eating them.

The plant is a native of waste or wooded areas in the south and central Eurasia. It has poisonous leaves and its berries are black, shiny, and the size of cherries.

Apart from its poisonous leaves and berries, deadly nightshade also contains scopolamine and atropine in its roots and stem. Consuming this plant can cause involuntary muscle paralysis. Getting into contact with the plant leaves may cause severe skin irritation.

Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum Dulcamara)

This poison plant is highly toxic – especially for children. It has bright-colored berries that attract both animals and humans.

Bittersweet nightshade is often mistaken with Oriental bittersweet and American bittersweet plants which explains why many homeowners are unable to identify the plant.

White Snakeroot (Ageratina Altissima)

It’s known as the root that caused Nancy Hanks’ (Abraham Lincoln’s mother) death. White snakeroot or Ageratina altissima is one of the poisonous herbs in North America. It has flat-topped bundles of tiny white flowers and contains a deadly alcohol referred to as trematol.

Some people have died from ingesting toxic plants or leaves directly. However, Nancy Hanks death was from consuming milk from a cow that had fed on the plant. White snakeroot is so poisonous that the milk and meat from poisoned domestic animals or pets can pass poison to humans.

Symptoms vary from one person to the other and can include nausea, reduced appetite, digestive discomfort, vomiting, and body weakness. Some people experience abnormal blood acidity, an overly red tongue, or death in extreme cases.

Today, farmers understand the large toxicity of the vines and are quick to remove them from animal feed.

Chinese Lanterns (Physalis Alkekengi)

Chinese lanterns are related to bittersweet nightshade. It’s often grown by craft lovers and comes with green pod husks that become yellow during summer and rich orange by fall. The Chinese lanterns’ bright pods are used in dried wreaths and floral arrangements.

Any part of the plant, including the leaves and stems, are harmful and symptoms can include numbness, low temperature, headaches, breathing issues, stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhea, and dilated pupils.

Castor Bean (Ricinus Communis)

The castor bean is a charming plant often grown for ornamental purposes because of its flower, leaves, and foliage. The refined seeds of the castor bean plant produce castor oil. However, they contain ricin, a poison that makes them deadly in small amounts.

Even though castor oil is so beneficial, all it takes to kill a child or an adult is one and eight seeds respectively. Ricin restricts the combination of proteins in body cells and can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, or even be fatal, resulting in death. Death caused by poisonous things often occurs from accidental ingestion.

Castor oil is refined to be safe for use, though, so you don’t need worry about ricin when using it as a treatment.

Laurel Hedges

Except for Bay Laurel, every other type of hedge is toxic and produces hydrocyanic acid which is harmful for animals and humans. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, convulsions and difficulty walking or standing.

More helpful reading:

How to Escape a Sinking Car (And Get Out While Underwater)

How to Store Emergency Water Longterm

What flowers can kill you?

Flowers are usually bright and beautiful but can also be poisonous. Knowing how to identify flowers like the Nerium Oleander or the bleeding heart helps you tell the difference between dangerous flowers and safe flowers.

If you or someone else is experiencing the symptoms listed below, make sure and call 911 or poison control.

Here is a list of poisonous flowers and the parts (like berries, leaves, or seeds) you should beware of.

Nerium Oleander

Oleander is one of the most poisonous wild flowers. Oleander is also known as the sweetly scented killer. You’ll notice that Oleander blossoms are magenta, crimson, or creamy white.

Cases of accidental poisoning from Oleander have been reported from campers who burn oleander branches to roast marshmallows and hotdogs.

Are oleander flowers poisonous to touch and can Oleander flowers cause skin irritation? Yes, they can. So toxic is the blossom that consuming honey from bees that consumed nectar from the Oleander plant can cause death. Poison from the Oleander plant causes irregular heart beats.

Lily of the Valley

These small white bell-shaped flowers with a strong sweet-smelling aroma. However, direct contact causes hot flushes, severe headaches, irritability, hallucinations, and red patches of clammy and cold skin.

It’s important to understand that the water you use to put cut lily-of-the-valley flowers may contain traces of convallatoxin. This substance can increase heart contractions.

Water Hemlock

These are tiny white wildflowers that are attractive but deadly. Poison in the water hemlock has a carrot scent but it can damage your central nervous system within a short time.

The effects of water hemlock poison include convulsions and seizures that can be severe due to cardiovascular collapse and asphyxia (both of which can cause death).

Angel’s Trumpet

Let not the name of this plant fool you. This is one of the poisonous trees that bear trumpet-shaped colorful hanging blooms. While this plant can be an eye-catching patio tree it contains atropine and scopolamine both of which are poisons and hallucinogens.

This whole plant is extremely poisonous but its highest toxin concentration is in the seeds. Exposure to these toxins may result in a coma, hallucinations, and delirium.

What kind of mushrooms can kill you?

If you love mushrooms you know that not all of them are safe to eat. Can you, however, differentiate poisonous mushrooms from the non-poisonous ones? Here is a list of poisonous mushrooms you should avoid.

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)

This is the recognizable toadstool in children’s fairy tales. You can easily identify it from its white spots and bright red cap. This fungus is poisonous to both animals and humans.

The main poisonous agents in Fly Agaric are ibotenic and muscimol acid. These toxins affect the central nervous system and cause nausea, loss of coordination, lack of sleep, and hallucinations. The effects start showing approximately one hour after consumption but they’re hardly deadly.

Angel wing (Pleurocybella porrigens)

This type of mushroom is found across the Northern Hemisphere and derives its name from its appearance and deadly features.

Angel Wing was once edible but this changed when almost 60 people got sick after consuming them in Japan. 17 out of these people died. An old man would later die in 2009 after consuming angel wings mushrooms.

A big percentage of the people who died, however, had pre-existing liver or kidney complications. While the mode of poisoning is yet to be understood scientists believe it contains high levels of cyanide.

Deadly Dapperling (Lepiota sp.)

This is a tiny, delicious looking mushroom that belongs to the Lepiota family. It contains amatoxin, a poisonous substance that can damage the liver.

This toxin is associated with up to 90% of all mushroom poison-related deaths. Symptoms of exposure to this toxin include gastrointestinal-intestinal pain. Deadly Dapperling grows in conifer forests across North America and Europe.

More helpful reading:

Freeze Dried vs Dehydrated Food (Advantages & Disadvantages)

How to Make a Snare Trap Step By Step (Build, Set, Tie, & Wire)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can poisonous plants kill you?

Yes. Some of the most poisonous plants can kill you instantly. However, some have severe effects but aren’t deadly. It’s important to call poison control immediately if you aren’t sure.

What common shrubs and plants are poisonous to dogs?

Some of these plants grow in backyards and can be mildly toxic or severely poisonous. These include Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum).

What poisonous plant looks like aloe vera?

The leaves of agave Americana poison plants resemble those of aloe vera. However, this plant doesn’t belong to the cacti plant family.

Which plants are poisonous to cats?

Some plants that are toxic to cats cause skin, stomach, and mouth inflammation. Some of these poison plants can cause normal functioning of a cat’s organs to alter – such as the heart and kidney.

These toxic plants include Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale,) Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.), and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis).

Now you know

Researching pictures of poison plants can help you identify what’s toxic with ease. This guide to poisonous plants and flowers should help you stay safe – especially in outdoor emergencies.

If you aren’t sure that a a specific plant or parts of the plant (leaves, berries, seeds, flowers) may be toxic and cause skin issues or worse, vomiting or death, make sure to call poison control and be prepared to describe the plant in detail. Look for distinguishing characteristics to help them identify the plant.

More helpful reading:

How to Identify Poison Plants – CDC.GOV

The post Poisonous Plants: Identify Poison, Toxic, & Dangerous (How To List) appeared first on .

source https://survivalistgear.co/poisonous-plants-identify-list/ source https://survivalistgear1.tumblr.com/post/618704448998539264

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survivalistgear1 · 5 years ago

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Poisonous Plants: Identify Poison, Toxic, & Dangerous (How To List)

Plants are beautiful and if you’re a plant lover, chances are high that you’ve got one or more house plants. But did you know that several common house plants can be poisonous?

Let’s discuss some of the most poisonous plants to be aware of when it comes to child safety or wilderness survival.

Which plants are poisonous to humans?

Here is a list of common and uncommon poisonous plants you should look out for. We also include what parts of the plants you need to be aware of specifically.

Some parts of the plant may only cause skin rashes, while others may cause vomiting or even death from toxic leaves, seeds, or berries.

It’s important to know what to look for in case you have to call poison control. We’ve included photos below to make each one easier to identify.

Helpful resources:

Symptoms of Dehydration (Signs & Stages)

How to tell if a Snake is Poisonous or Not (Non Venomous vs Most Dangerous)

https://survivalistgear.co/emergency-survival-kit/

Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)

Eating the wrong parts of the plant with water hemlock can cause abdominal cramps, vomiting diarrhea, painful convulsions, nausea, and may cause death in extreme cases.

Survivors may have to live with lasting tremors and amnesia. Call 911 or poison control immediately if you think an animal or human has eaten it.

Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

If you aren’t familiar with the differences, Poison Hemlock’s leaves, and even other parts, can look similar to popular plants used for food – like Queen Anne’s lace, yarrow, wild fennel, and elderflower.

Even though it may not be as deadly as Water Hemlock, Poison Hemlock is common in many areas, and still dangerous.

Note: Poison Hemlock has nothing to do with the Hemlock Tree species which is edible.

Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron Vernix)

Also known as thunderwood, Poison sumac is a common, woody shrub usually found in wet areas like swamps and forests with hardwood or pinewood.

Poison Oak (Toxicodendron Diversilobum)

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicans)

Poison ivy is a common, flowering plant commonly found in Asian and Eastern North America. The urushiol oil resin in poison ivy can be found on the roots, leaves, and even stem parts of the plant.

It’s very sticky and can even attach to parts of your clothing. Skin contact with with leaves of a Poison Ivy plant will cause a blistering, uncomfortable rash.

Rosary Pea (Abrus Precatorius)

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna)

This poisonous plant bears attractive and sweet berries. Deadly Nightshade can lure both children and adults into eating them.

The plant is a native of waste or wooded areas in the south and central Eurasia. It has poisonous leaves and its berries are black, shiny, and the size of cherries.

Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum Dulcamara)

This poison plant is highly toxic – especially for children. It has bright-colored berries that attract both animals and humans.

Bittersweet nightshade is often mistaken with Oriental bittersweet and American bittersweet plants which explains why many homeowners are unable to identify the plant.

White Snakeroot (Ageratina Altissima)

Today, farmers understand the large toxicity of the vines and are quick to remove them from animal feed.

Chinese Lanterns (Physalis Alkekengi)

Castor Bean (Ricinus Communis)

Castor oil is refined to be safe for use, though, so you don’t need worry about ricin when using it as a treatment.

Laurel Hedges

More helpful reading:

How to Escape a Sinking Car (And Get Out While Underwater)

How to Store Emergency Water Longterm

What flowers can kill you?

If you or someone else is experiencing the symptoms listed below, make sure and call 911 or poison control.

Here is a list of poisonous flowers and the parts (like berries, leaves, or seeds) you should beware of.

Nerium Oleander

Oleander is one of the most poisonous wild flowers. Oleander is also known as the sweetly scented killer. You’ll notice that Oleander blossoms are magenta, crimson, or creamy white.

Cases of accidental poisoning from Oleander have been reported from campers who burn oleander branches to roast marshmallows and hotdogs.

Lily of the Valley

It’s important to understand that the water you use to put cut lily-of-the-valley flowers may contain traces of convallatoxin. This substance can increase heart contractions.

Water Hemlock

These are tiny white wildflowers that are attractive but deadly. Poison in the water hemlock has a carrot scent but it can damage your central nervous system within a short time.

The effects of water hemlock poison include convulsions and seizures that can be severe due to cardiovascular collapse and asphyxia (both of which can cause death).

Angel’s Trumpet

This whole plant is extremely poisonous but its highest toxin concentration is in the seeds. Exposure to these toxins may result in a coma, hallucinations, and delirium.

What kind of mushrooms can kill you?

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)

This is the recognizable toadstool in children’s fairy tales. You can easily identify it from its white spots and bright red cap. This fungus is poisonous to both animals and humans.

Angel wing (Pleurocybella porrigens)

This type of mushroom is found across the Northern Hemisphere and derives its name from its appearance and deadly features.

Deadly Dapperling (Lepiota sp.)

This is a tiny, delicious looking mushroom that belongs to the Lepiota family. It contains amatoxin, a poisonous substance that can damage the liver.

More helpful reading:

Freeze Dried vs Dehydrated Food (Advantages & Disadvantages)

How to Make a Snare Trap Step By Step (Build, Set, Tie, & Wire)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can poisonous plants kill you?

Yes. Some of the most poisonous plants can kill you instantly. However, some have severe effects but aren’t deadly. It’s important to call poison control immediately if you aren’t sure.

What common shrubs and plants are poisonous to dogs?

What poisonous plant looks like aloe vera?

The leaves of agave Americana poison plants resemble those of aloe vera. However, this plant doesn’t belong to the cacti plant family.

Which plants are poisonous to cats?

Some plants that are toxic to cats cause skin, stomach, and mouth inflammation. Some of these poison plants can cause normal functioning of a cat’s organs to alter – such as the heart and kidney.

These toxic plants include Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale,) Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.), and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis).

Now you know

Researching pictures of poison plants can help you identify what’s toxic with ease. This guide to poisonous plants and flowers should help you stay safe – especially in outdoor emergencies.

More helpful reading:

How to Identify Poison Plants – CDC.GOV

The post Poisonous Plants: Identify Poison, Toxic, & Dangerous (How To List) appeared first on .

source https://survivalistgear.co/poisonous-plants-identify-list/

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removalbeeconscious · 11 months ago

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Harmony in Honey Bee Swarm Removal: A Beneficial Endeavor

In the delicate dance of nature, honey bee swarm removal emerges as a crucial practice for both beekeepers and the environment. Far from a mere inconvenience, these swarms carry a bounty of benefits that ripple through ecosystems and contribute to the delicate balance of our planet.

The Buzz about Honey Bee Swarms:

Honey bee swarms are a natural phenomenon, occurring when a colony outgrows its hive and a portion of the bees, led by a queen, ventures out to find a new home. While this sight may be awe-inspiring, it can also trigger concerns among those unfamiliar with the behaviors of these industrious insects. This is where honey bee swarm removal steps in as a vital intervention.

Preserving Biodiversity:

One of the primary benefits of honey bee swarm removal lies in preserving biodiversity. Bees are indispensable pollinators, playing a pivotal role in the reproduction of flowering plants. When a swarm establishes a new colony in an undesirable location, it can disrupt the local flora and fauna, leading to imbalances in the ecosystem.

Protecting Agricultural Crops:

Beyond the ecological realm, honey bee swarm removal plays a crucial role in safeguarding crops. Bees are responsible for pollinating a significant portion of the world's food crops, contributing to the growth of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. When swarms relocate to places where their presence could be detrimental, such as near residential areas or places with heavy human traffic, the risk of extermination becomes higher. Swift and humane honey bee swarm removalnot only saves the bees but also ensures the continuation of their vital role in agriculture.

Community Safety and Education:

Honey bee swarms, while generally docile, can be a cause for concern in urban and suburban settings. Uninformed individuals might perceive swarms as a threat, leading to unnecessary panic and potential harm to the bees. Through organized swarm removal efforts, communities can be educated about the non-aggressive nature of swarming bees and the importance of their preservation. This not only enhances public safety but also fosters a deeper understanding of the essential role bees play in our ecosystems.

Sustainable Beekeeping Practices:

Beekeepers engaged in honey bee swarm removal contribute to sustainable beekeeping practices. Instead of resorting to the extermination of swarms, which can be a common reaction to perceived threats, beekeepers focus on relocating the colony to a more suitable location. This humane approach aligns with the principles of ethical beekeeping, emphasizing the coexistence of humans and bees for the benefit of both parties.

Promoting Local Honey Production:

By participating in honey bee swarm removal , beekeepers often gain access to new colonies that can contribute to local honey production. These swarms, once safely relocated, can thrive under the care of experienced beekeepers, leading to an increase in honey production. This not only supports local beekeeping businesses but also provides communities with access to high-quality, locally sourced honey.

#live bee removal north bay

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beeconsciousremovals · 2 years ago

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Live bee removal North Bay | Bee Conscious Removals

Bee Conscious Removal is one of the top service providers for live bee removal in North Bay. A pro at carrying out live bee removals, we have professionals on staff who thoroughly comprehend their duties and who give it their all to save both the bees and you. We have saved thousands of hives in North Bay over the years. The business has never removed live bees using a vacuum; instead, it has always employed non-lethal techniques. We are experts in removing live bees in all their forms. There is no job too big or too small for us to handle, whether it is structural or superficial, residential or commercial. Call us at 415-350-5700 for more information. https://beeconsciousremovals.com/

#Live bee removal North Bay

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bugsbegoneau · 5 years ago

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Why is Pest Control Rose Bay essential and important?

Pest control Rose Bay is important to maintain your home from the unwanted invaders. Your home is the place for you to live safely, and certainly not a place for the bugs, termites, and rodents. However sometimes, due to a few loopholes, pests get the golden chance to intrude in your private home, inflicting several diseases. Before the pests torment you, you should take the vital measures and actions. Pests can enter your home by tiny holes near the doors or windows, places which can be otherwise unnoticed by you. Pests always tend to come in a gang they don’t generally prefer a solo act. So in case, you see that there is simply one cockroach or any bug for that matter, then be sure that the rest of the gang members are also present nearby. There are certain chemical products available in the market, and you can remove the pests yourself. However you are not professional, your assignment may have a loophole, and maybe you haven't eliminated a hundred percent of the insects. Then? Even if one bug is left, again another gang will march towards to your home. So it is judicious to opt for professional pest control North Rocks. Pests can be horrible on your health and wealth • The ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, bedbugs, termites, this kind of pesky creatures enter your home, and their presence may be very worrying. You need to remove them, but you aren't sure of the manner to do it. In case you kill one killer bee, then the entire swarm of bees can attack you. On occasion the bugs are not enough; additionally, they lay eggs of their nests and create generations of insects. If so, you'll need to find the nests and eradicate the bugs from the roots. • Cockroaches can poison the food inflicting several sicknesses like diarrhea. • Mosquitoes are harmful parasites and might motive fatal disorder like malaria and dengue. • Bedbugs can damage your sleep via biting you. In a few cases, bedbugs live within the furniture, bed, cushions, and pillows. They even multiply through laying eggs. You may need powerful chemical insecticides to combat these, but these are harmful to human beings as nicely, if you have children or pets you must keep them far from those chemical substances. • There are special strategies to inject the chemicals to take away the insects and their nests. The pest control Rose Bay knows where to find the nests and a way to kill the bugs efficiently. Pests like cockroaches, lizards, termites or ants can cause hell lots of harm to your health and wealth. And there is no way to keep these pests away, except occasional pest control and treatment with the aid of specialists. There are numerous remedies to get rid of pests at home or your office, but these treatments will work most effective when applied efficiently and whilst the infestation is not excessive. You can also contact professional companies for your city and ask for one time pest control or subscribe for annual or monthly pest removal packages.

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cristinajourdanqp · 7 years ago

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Great American Campout, Worker Bee Trips, and a Contest!

On June 23rd, the world changes. Every RV, Subaru Outback, and pickup truck in every neighborhood across the country disappears from city limits. Expect the swoosh of fiberglass poles sliding through tent fabric to resound across the land and millions of campfires to produce enough smoke to block out the sun. Molted marshmallow flows will destroy hundreds of homes, and millions of fathers sitting on Doug fir rounds by the fire will tell so many ghost stories that they summon actual phantoms from the spirit world. The nation’s circadian rhythms will get a hard reset back to the superior factory settings, thanks to avoidance of artificial light after dark. Or so we could hope….

June 23rd is the Great American Campout, that time of the year when the National Wildlife Federation arranges a series of mass public camping sessions across the country and encourages everyone else to do the same in their local communities. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone.

The unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of people still don’t camp. Chances are, the average person won’t even be aware that the Great American Campout is happening. This is a tragedy.

Regular camping could change the world. Imagine if every citizen spent at least a couple nights per month under the stars, gazing into a dancing campfire, getting fresh air and plenty of natural sunlight during the day, going on hikes, lounging in hammocks with a book, and ignoring their smartphone (because there’s no reception). The world would be a better place. People would be happier, healthier, and more tuned in to everyone’s ancestral homeland: the wilderness.

You might think it’s cheesy, or lament the imagined crowds, but you’d be making a mistake. Getting more people to enjoy and experience the outdoors will ensure we hold onto them for years to come.

There are many ways to take part:

Host a public campout. Arrange your own public campout in your community.

Attend a public campout. Go join in on the fun.

Just go camping. Participating in the Campout doesn’t have to be formal or registered. You can just camp in solidarity with everyone else.

If you’re new to camping, want to level your camping up, or are just interested in why camping is so important for our health, take a look at the posts I below.

Here are the main benefits of camping.

Here are tips for mastering the wilderness.

Here is where I explain why artificial blue light after dark is so bad for our sleep and circadian rhythm. A big reason to go camping on a regular basis is that it removes the worst source of nighttime artificial light, like electronic devices and street lamps.

Here is where I explain how to access and foster your wild side.

Here’s how to grill.

Here’s how to take better hikes.

Here are some ideas for good Primal non-perishables.

Go to the website, make the pledge, and start getting friends and family together for an awesome time together. There’s no way you’ll regret camping. Even the rough situations, like storms in the middle of the night, make for great stories—but you almost certainly will regret letting the opportunity slip through your fingers. Chances are, camping is one of those things you “resolve” to do more of but never actually do. Now’s your chance. Consider it a mini-challenge within your 21-Day framework.

Want some inspiration for camping and other active vacations? Some of our Worker Bees are sharing their favorite trips today. And be sure to leave your own anecdotes/suggestions for camping and active vacations in the comments for today’s contest (details below).

My favorite type of vacation is a good balance between relaxation and activity. I love getting up in the morning for a hike or taking a walk on the beach at sunset. Then, finding time to read, recharge and connect with the natural beauty of my surroundings is where it’s at! Also, water is a must! I feel the most relaxed near the lake or an ocean. This photo is a Rocky Mountains camping trip. – Ana G.

Destination races! My husband and I sign up for races as an excuse to visit other countries, like when we ran the Great Wall of China Marathon. It’s pretty much the opposite of sitting poolside with a mai tai! You get to meet amazing people—other participants, race volunteers, and locals—you’d never normally encounter and see things the average tourist misses. It’s a wonderful way to travel. – Lindsay T.

My favorite active spot around the globe to vacation is Costa Rica! I especially love Dominical, a little surf town on the Pacific Coast. Great for yoga, kayaking, surfing, hiking, running, and swimming, there are literally endless adventures to be had in a place so rich in different ecosystems and outdoors escapes. – Annie M.

Morning run in Tel Aviv, Israel! – Chloe M.

One of my most memorable places for vacation was Lake Tahoe, absolutely gorgeous scenery and amazing time spent with family. We paddle boarded, canoed, and fished! – Michelle F.

I spend a lot of time in the North Woods and North Shore (Minnesota). It’s beautiful hiking there, and we enjoy gorgeous sunsets on the rocky beaches. – Jen W.

I’m lucky to live just a few hours away from Big Bear, California, and it’s definitely a favorite getaway spot. With breathtaking views, epic hiking trails and calm water, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you moving!

Last time I was there, I linked up with the Bee the Wellness tribe for one of their adventure retreats. It’s so nice to just show up somewhere with all your activities and (paleo!) meals planned, so you can sit back and really enjoy your surroundings. In fact, I’ll be joining them again this July in the Redwoods! If you miss PrimalCon, you’ll LOVE this (and you might see a few familiar faces too). – Liz M.

Favorite active vacation spot: San Diego, CA Favorite activities: 1. Hiking in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (attached photo taken on one of the trails that overlooks the beach) 2. SUP/paddleboarding in Mission Bay 3. Family bike riding on Coronado Island 4. Kayaking and jetskiing in Carlsbad Lagoon 5. Trail running and hiking in the San Elijo Hills

– Sabrina T.

Now For the Contest…

The Bees and I want to hear your stories and suggestions for camping adventures and active vacations. Simply leave a relevant comment here by the deadline, and you’ll be entered to win.

The Prize: The Primal Blueprint Platinum Supplement Package

The Platinum Package is the ultimate in supplementation, and a daily dietary boost favored by Mark Sisson, his wife and thousands of other health-conscious devotees. This comprehensive supplement plan includes: Primal Master Formula, Primal Fuel, Primal Probiotics, Primal Omegas and Primal Sun. With a 30-day supply of a high-antioxidant multivitamin complex, omega-3 fish oils, healthy probiotics, vitamin D and a 21-day supply of delicious, coconut-based Primal meal replacement shake, the Platinum Package is a complete, convenient and cost-effective way to live a healthy, Primal life in the modern world.*

The Deadline: Midnight PDT, June 19th, 2018

Thanks for stopping in, everyone. Take care.

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cynthiamwashington · 7 years ago

Text

Great American Campout, Worker Bee Trips, and a Contest!

The unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of people still don’t camp. Chances are, the average person won’t even be aware that the Great American Campout is happening. This is a tragedy.

There are many ways to take part:

Host a public campout. Arrange your own public campout in your community.

Attend a public campout. Go join in on the fun.

Just go camping. Participating in the Campout doesn’t have to be formal or registered. You can just camp in solidarity with everyone else.

If you’re new to camping, want to level your camping up, or are just interested in why camping is so important for our health, take a look at the posts I below.

Here are the main benefits of camping.

Here are tips for mastering the wilderness.

Here is where I explain how to access and foster your wild side.

Here’s how to grill.

Here’s how to take better hikes.

Here are some ideas for good Primal non-perishables.

Morning run in Tel Aviv, Israel! – Chloe M.

One of my most memorable places for vacation was Lake Tahoe, absolutely gorgeous scenery and amazing time spent with family. We paddle boarded, canoed, and fished! – Michelle F.

I spend a lot of time in the North Woods and North Shore (Minnesota). It’s beautiful hiking there, and we enjoy gorgeous sunsets on the rocky beaches. – Jen W.

– Sabrina T.

Now For the Contest…

The Bees and I want to hear your stories and suggestions for camping adventures and active vacations. Simply leave a relevant comment here by the deadline, and you’ll be entered to win.

The Prize: The Primal Blueprint Platinum Supplement Package

The Deadline: Midnight PDT, June 19th, 2018

Thanks for stopping in, everyone. Take care.

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The post Great American Campout, Worker Bee Trips, and a Contest! appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.

Article source here:Marks’s Daily Apple

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1baddmouthcrown · 7 years ago

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19TH Century Toussaint L'Ouverture, 1816 the American Colonization Society Sam Sharpe, Frederick Douglass, Martin Delany, Antonio Maceo, Booker T Washington, WEB Du Bois, Paul Bogle and George William Gordon, James Mata Dwane South African Methodist Minister Methodist the Ethiopian Church of Mangena Mokone 1896, founder of the Order of Ethiopia in the Anglican Church, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner of the African Methodist Espicopal Church.

1801 March constitution for Saint Domingue drafted by constitutional assembly appointed by Louverture promulgated on 1801 July 7 making him Governor General of Hispaniola. Article 3 of the constitution states: “There cannot exist slaves [in Saint-Domingue], servitude is therein forever abolished. All men are born, live and die free and French.

An 1806 engraving of Jean-Jacques Dessalines. It depicts the general, sword raised in one arm, while the other holds a severed head of a white woman.

Vicomte de Rochambeau imported about 15, 000 attack dogs. At the Bay of Le Cap, Rochambeau had blacks drowned.

1804 January 1 Dessalines declares independence and renames Saint Domingue “Ayiti” after the indigenous Taíno/Arawak name.

1804 February to April 22 Haiti Massacre..

1804 September 22 proclaimed Emperor by Generals of the Haitian Revolution Army and crowned Emperor Jacques I in a coronation ceremony on 6 October in the city of Le Cap.

1 April Henry, by the grace of God and constitutional law of the state, King of Haiti, Sovereign of Tortuga, Gonâve, and other adjacent islands, Destroyer of tyranny, Regenerator and Benefactor of the Haitian nation, Creator of her moral, political, and martial institutions, First crowned monarch of the New World, Defender of the faith, Founder of the Royal Military Order of Saint Henry.

1811 Louisiana German Coast revolt.

1816 the American Colonization Society established mainly by the effort of Charles Fenton Mercer as well as John Caldwell and the Presbyterian minister Robert Finley.

1820 Reverend Daniel Coker and Reverend Samuel Bacon sail to Liberia on the Elizabeth with 88 emigrants. Sierra Leone Reverend Bacon King Jack Ben of Grand Bassa secured tract of land Cape Mesurado named Monrovia after President James Monroe.

Of the 4, 571 emigrants who arrived between 1820 and 1843 only 1, 819 of them survived.

1822 Delanys mother Pati moves their family to Chambersbury in the free state of Pennsylvania after in the state of Virginia where education of blacks prohibited The New York Primer and Spelling Book Delany and his siblings used to learn how to read and write is discovered.

1826 Truth escape from slavery.

1828 Truth reunited with her son Peter illegally sold.

1831 Delany ath the age of 19 moves West to Pittsburgh where he works as a barber and laborer.

1831 Saint James, Trelawny and WestmorelandSam Sharpes Baptist War.

August 21 Southampton County, Virginia Nat Turner Rebellion.

1832 Delany during the National cholera epidemic becomes apprentice to Dr. Andrew N. Mc Dowell and learns fire cupping and leeching techniques, and also studies with abolitionist doctors such as Dr. F. Julius LeMoyne and Dr. Joseph P. Gazzam of Pittsburgh.

1835 Delany attends National Negro Convention in Philadelphia.

Douglass begins to be taught the alphabet by his masters wife whos husband however disapproves of the slaves being made literate and later also snatches a newspaper from him. Douglass learns to read from white children in his neighborhood and from observing the writings of the men he works with with this Douglass’s reading is greatly increased.

Douglass after being hired begins to teach large numbers of other slaves from the plantation to read the New Testament at weekly Sunday school.

1838 September 3 Douglass escapes from slavery in under 24 hours Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad from Havre de Grace, Maryland, in Harford County crossed Susquehanna River to Perryvile in Cecil County steam ferry and took the train to Wilmington, Delaware steamboat Delaware River to Quaker City" of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania abolitionist David Ruggles in New York City.

1839 Douglass becomes a licensed preacher.

September 15 Douglass marries Anna.

1840 Douglas makes Elmira, New York, Underground Railroad station speech.

1841 William Lyod Garrison Bristol Anti-Slavery Society.

Douglas speaks at Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society’s annual convention in Nantucket.

1843 Delany begins publishing The Mystery black newspaper, his articles and writings reprinted in William Lloyd Garrisons The Liberator.

Douglass American Anti-Slavery Society’s “Hundred Conventions” project, a six-month tour. Pendleton Indiana Douglas mob suffers broken hando.

Isabella Baumfree gives herself the name Sojourner Truth and becomes a Methodist.

1844 Truth Northampton, Massachusetts.

1845 August 16 Douglas sails on the Cambria for Liverpool, travels to Ireland and Great Britain, meets Irish nationalist Daniel O’ Connell as well as British abolitionist Thomas Clarkson

Autobiography Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass.

Imperial Hotel.

1946 Delany sued $650 for libel against a African American Fiddler Johnson who he accused in The Mystery newspaper of being a slave catcher.

Douglass.

1847 Delany mets Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison whilst they are in Pittsburgh on an anti-slavery and helps to put together Frederick Douglass’s first abolitionist newspaper the North Star.

Delanys eulogy for Rev. Fayette Davis widely redistributed.

Martin Delany, c. 1847. Called the father of Black Nationalism, this rare image captures Delany, already an abolitionist, writer, publisher, and journalist at this point in his life. Courtesy of Floyd Thomas.

Delany recruits for the Union Army. His son Touissant Louverture Delany serves with the 54th regiment.

1948 July Delanys in the North Star that U.S. District Court Justice John McLean instructed the jury in the Crosswait trial to make it a punishable offence for a citizen to thwart those trying to "repossess" an alleged runaway slave, and as a result influences abolitionist Salmon P. Chase to remove McLean as a candidate of the Free Soil Party for the Presidency.

Douglass attends Senecca Falls convention, Elizabeth Cady Stanton resolution for Womens suffrage passed James and Lucretia Mott 15th Amendment.

Ezra Greenleaf Weld, Fugitive Slave Law Convention, Cazenovia, New York, 1850. Courtesy of the J. Paul Getty Museum. Frederick Douglass, who presided over the proceedings, is seated at the corner of the table. Mary Edmonson (in plaid shawl) stands over his left shoulder. Abolitionist Gerrit Smith stands over Douglass’s right shoulder, with Emily Edmonson (also in plaid) to his right.

Delany becomes one of the first of three black men to attend Harvard Medical School but is dismissed on account of race complaint from white students within three weeks.

1850 Blyden emigrates to Liberia.

1851, Douglass the North Star with Gerrit Smith’s Liberty Party Paper to form Frederick Douglass’ Paper ceased 1860.

Truth George Thompson.

After 42 years at St. Paul Street and Central Avenue, and mostly because of the endless railroad traffic nearby, the monument had become “grimy and sooty.” And so a committee was formed, and a decision was made to move the monument to Highland Park. The place in the park for the statue was within a few hundred yards of where Douglass had once lived, on South Avenue. Not exactly the apex of city life, but away from the grime of the trains.

And so today the statue stands, as it has for 75 years, in the park. It was rededicated on September 4th, 1941.

Douglass’s address to the ladies of the Rochester Anti-Slavery Sewing Society July 5, 1852.

Delany being discriminated against and on account of African Americans not being elevated to such positions, publishes his The Condition, Elevation, Emigration and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States, Politically Considered.

“SWEET is the virgin honey, though the wild bee store it in a reed; And bright the jewelled band that circleth an Ethiop’s arm; Pure are the grains of gold in the turbid stream of the Ganges; And fair the living flowers that spring from the dull cold sod. Wherefore, thou gentle student, bend thine ear to my speech, For I also am as thou art; our hearts can commune together: To meanest matters will I stoop, for mean is the lot of mortal; I will rise to noblest themes, for the soul hath a heritage of glory.”

1853 Douglass attends the National African American Convention in Rochester.

September 7 Truth speaks at suffragist "mob convention" at the Broadway Tabernacle in New York City.

1854 Delany publishes The Origins and Objects of Ancient Freemasonry: Its Introduction into the United States and Legitimacy among Colored Men.

Delany, during Cholera outbreak stays behind to treat patients whilst leave.

August Dealany leads the National Emigration Convention in Cleveland, Ohio and publishes his “Political Destiny of the Colored Race on the American Continent”. Political rights resolution passed for Blacks.

Truth speaks to "Friends of Human Progress" at Battle Creek, Michigan.

1856 Delany moves his family to Chatham, Ontario, Canada.

Blyden edits the Liberia Herald and writes the column "A Voice From Bleeding Africa.

1859 Delany publishes parts of Blake: Or The Huts of America in response to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, in which he criticises for inaccurately portraying the slaves as too passive although for cruelty of Southern slave owners serialised form in The Anglo-African Magazine between January to July.

May Delany sails from New York to Liberia, signs treaty chiefs in the Abeokuta region settlers to live on so long as they can.

1860 Delany leaves Liberia for England where he is honoured by the International Statistical Congress, and returns to America the same year.

1861 Delanys second part of part one series published in Weekly Anglo African Magazine.

Blyden becomes professor of Greek and Latin at Liberia College remains until 1864.

Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which took effect on January 1, 1863, declared the freedom of all slaves in Confederate-held territory. (Slaves in Union-held areas and Northern states were freed with the adoption of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865.)

Douglass described the spirit of those awaiting the proclamation: “We were waiting and listening as for a bolt from the sky … we were watching … by the dim light of the stars for the dawn of a new day … we were longing for the answer to the agonizing prayers of centuries.”

1862 Blyden becomes Liberian Secretary of State.

1863 Delany begins recruiting black men for the Union Army Rhode Island, Connecticut and Ohio raising thousands of enlistees many joining the new United States Coloured Troops, his son serving in the 54th regiment 179, 000 black men enlisting in the U.S. Coloured Troops almost 10% of those serving in the Union army.

1864 Truth employed by the National Freedman's Relief Association in Washington, D.C.

1865 February Delany meets Abraham Lincoln.

Delany becomes the first black line field officer in the U.S. Army as well as only Black officer to be receive commission of the highest rank of Major during the Civil War.

April 14 Delany invited to the War Department ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina, attending with Robert Vesey son of hanged black abolitionist, Denmark Vesey in ship named the Planter former slave Robert Smalls abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison Senator Warner.

April 15 President Lincoln assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

Delany serves under General Rufus Saxton in the 52nd U.S. Colored Troops Freedman Bureau Hilton Head.

Truth works in Freedman's Hospital in Washington.

1865 October Baptist Deacon Paul Bogle of Stony Gut Saint Thomas, Morant Bay Rebellion George William Gordon.

1867 May 9 Truth American Equal Rights Association.

1868 October 10 El grito de Yara (Cry of Yara) revolt led by Carlos Manuel de Lespedes.

Antonio Maceo at age 23 with his Father and brothers join the Ten Years War. Maceo promoted to Commander/Major and weeks after to Lieutenant Colonel.

1870, Douglass last newspaper, the New National Era.

Love serves as 1st Most Worshipful Grand Master of Prince Hall Freemasonry 1870-1872 in the Most Worshipful Sovereign Grand Lodge of Florida and in the Most Worshipful Sovereign Grand Lodge of Georgia 1873-1875.

1871 January 1 Truth Eighth Anniversary of Negro Freedom.

1874 Delany runs as an Independent Republican for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina (with John T. Green as the gubernatorial candidate).

March Douglas becomes President of Freeman Saving bank.

1875 Delany charged with defrauding a church.

1876 Delany supports Democratic candidate Wade Hampton in the gubernatorial election suppress Black voting at polls more than 150 Black’s killed by rifle clubs and paramilitary group Red Shirts.

1877 Delany Liberian Exodus Joint Steamship Company Charleston, South Carolina purchase the 400 ton Azor 1878 Charleston to Monrovia led by Harrison N. Bouey.

1878 Booker T Washington attends Wayland Seminary in Washington D. C.

March 15 Maceo meets with General Martinez Campes Protest of Baraqua Pact of Zanjon.

1879 Maceo and General Calixto Garcia Iniguez plan invasion of Cuba from New York, Maceo sends Calixto Garcia as highest commander.

1880 Blyden serves as President of Liberia College until 1884.

1881 Hampton Institute President Samuel C Armstrong Washington.

1882 Anna Douglas passes away.

1883 Newspaper Advertisement announcing the debut performance of Henrietta Vinton Davis at Marini’s Hall in Washington DC.

Davis 36 years later would join Marcus Garveys Universal Negro Improvement Association.

November 26 Truth passes away.

1884 Douglass marries the daughter of abolitionist Gideon Pitts Jr suffragist and abolitionist Helen Pitts.

1885 January 24 Delany dies of tuberculosis in Wilberforce, Ohio.

WEB Du Bois attends Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee receives bachelor degree.

W. E. B. Du Bois with the Fisk University class of 1888.

1888 Douglass becomes the first African American to recieve vote for President.

1889 Douglass appointed U. S. minister resident and Consul General to Republic of Haiti and charge d'affaires for Santo Domingo by President Harrison.

Love moves to Jamaica where he starts the Jamaica Advocate newspaper.

1890 Du Bois awarded his second bachelor degree, cum laude, in history by Harvard.

1891 Du Bois receives scholarship to attend sociology graduate school at Harvard.

1892 Douglass place Fells point, Baltimore was constructed as rental housing for African Americans.

Indianapolis conference convened by Bishop Henry McNeal Turner.

Du Bois receives John F. Slater Fund to attend University of Berlin studies with Germans top social scientists such as Gustav von Schmoller, Adolph Wagner, and Heinrich von Treitschke.

1893 Douglass made co commissioner of Haitian pavilion at Worlds Colombian Exposition in Chicago.

1894 Du Bois begins work as a teacher at Wilberforce University in Ohio.

1895 Du Bois becomes the first African American to PhD from Harvard University. Douglass attends National Council of Women in Washington D. C. dies in the same year of a heart attack.

Delegate of the Cuban Revolutionary Party Jose Marti Maceo the Necessary War Maceo Gomez highest in command. Flor Crombet Baracoa Santiago de Cuba Marti falls in battle in Dos Ríos (confluence between the rivers Contramaestre and Cauto).

Bishop H. M. Turner receiving James M. Dwane, of South Africa - Bishop H. M. Turner, H. B. Parks, J. M. Dwane, J. S. Flipper. Bishop Henry Mc Turner was also an advocate for repatriation for African Americans to Liberia and was responsible for two ships with 500 emigrants sailing to there in 1895 and 1896.

Maceo Jose Marti.

James Mata Dwane South African Methodist Minister who left the Methodist Church to join the Ethiopian Church of Mangena Mokone in 1896, founder of the Order of Ethiopia in the Anglican Church.

1896 Du Bois becomes a sociological field researcher at the University of Pennsylvania.

Maceo Lieutenant General second in command after Gomez General in Chief.

Maceo and Gomez commanding two mambises columns invade the west of Cuba from Mangos de Baragua Martinez Campos cover horseback and by foot 1000 miles in 96 days.

Maceo Spanish forces in Havana and Pinar del Rio.

October Maceo arrives at Mantua in the western extreme of Cuba

December 7 Maceo shot in the chest, a broken jaw and penetrated skull.

1897 Du Bois takes part in the American Negro Academy, in July takes professorship in history and economics at the Atlanta University in Georgia and publishes Strivings of the Negro People in the August issue of the Atlantic monthly.

1899 Du Bois publishes his sociological study The Philadelphia Negro which was the first of its kind from the field research he conducted whilst in Pennsylvania.

Du Bois on his way to meet Atlanta Constitution editor Joel Chandler Harris about Sam Hose who was torchered, burnt and lynched for killing his landlord in an act of self defence turns back after being informed Hose knuckles were for sale a grocery store further down on the very Street (Mitchell Street) he was walking on.

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mobilize · 8 years ago

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2017 Greater Flushing Soup

This coming Earth Day, April 22, 2017, Queens residents have the opportunity to participate in Queens SOUP, a crowd-funded micro-granting community dinner, hosted by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. Inspired by Detroit SOUP, the Chamber raised over $800 for neighborhood improvement projects in 2016 — this spring the program is expanding to fund projects from all over the borough.

Queens SOUP provides an opportunity for any community project based in Queens to win and get no-strings-attached money from our in-person crowdfunding during our event on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 4 – 7 PM at the Flushing Meeting House, 137-16 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11354. Projects can focus on arts and culture, civil rights, small business assistance, children’s programing, neighborhood beautification, environmental remediation, and more. After an online application process, four projects will be chosen to present their plans during Queens SOUP.

After an online public application process, open February through March 2017, the following four projects were chosen to present at the Queens SOUP community dinner:

Flushing CSA’s Community Cook-Off and Food Festival a public festival, show casing unique eats in Queens through a competitive cook-off featuring tastings and highlighting the benefits of local organic produce.

Plaza Plays a 6-month residency that connects playwrights to central public spaces within Queens’ neighborhoods. For this inaugural season, two local playwrights will be selected to develop site-specific play to be performed in two of Queens’ public plazas.

Summer Tinker Lab: Latimer House + Child Center a free 2-week Tinker Lab class in 8/17 to the children at Latimer Gardens Community Center. Tinker Lab is an innovative hands-on learning focused on technology and arts, teaching coding as an essential 21st century literacy skillset.

Open the Door Open the Door will give out disposable cameras to a diverse sampling of fifty Queens residents, including children, instructed to capture images of their own daily life guided by the prompt “what do you hope for?”

The Chamber is seeking various levels of sponsorship and community partnership for Queens SOUP — matching funds; in-kind donations of food, supplies, or giveaway and raffle items; volunteers during the event; or participating as a vendor in our SOUP “Marketplace.” Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you have questions about sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

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WHAT IS SOUP?

SOUP is a community potluck dinner, originally founded in Detroit, that provides seed funding and promotional opportunities to help launch local projects bringing positive impacts to their community. SOUP events have taken place all over the country — increasing innovative, grassroots economic development and civic engagement.

For a $5 donation, attendees gain access to a potluck dinner where they eat, learn, and vote for one of four projects they think will have the most significant effect on their community. At the end of SOUP ballots are counted, and the money collected at the door is awarded to the project with the most votes. SOUP acts as an unique networking event, connecting projects with potential community partners and volunteers regardless of whether or not they win the cash prize.

Inspired by Detroit SOUP, the Greater Flushing SOUP uses the same crowd-sourced community-dinner model to provide small grants to community projects and civic initiatives in north-east Queens. A $5 donation gets you into a pot-luck dinner where four local community groups pitch their plan to improve the Greater Flushing area. At the end of the presentations, attendees vote for their favorite initiative. The project with the most votes wins all the money raised at the door. Regardless of who wins the cash prize, SOUP acts as an innovative networking event, connecting projects with potential community partners and volunteers.

2016 GREATER FLUSHING SOUP

The Adopt-A-Block project was a week-long pilot project organized by Body and Brain Yoga and Tai Chi in collaboration with their charity branch, Flushing Earth Citizens, held in Summer 2016 that worked to clean up Roosevelt Avenue between Main Street and Union Street in downtown Flushing. Volunteers swept the side walks, washed down public trash cans and ad bins, and removed graffiti throughout the area, all while encouraging people to through out their trash and keep Flushing clean.

Other projects from our first SOUP included:

– Community Organizing Language Forums (Korean Americans for Political Advancement): Filling in the language access void in Flushing by teaching civically engaged Korean and Mandarin speakers how to reach out to neighbors on policy issues in these languages.

– Bee Aware Mural Initiative (“For The Good of The Hive”): A mural located at Ganeinu Early Learning Center painted by students from RFK High School, shinning light on the issue of our depleting bee population, and its effects on humanity.

– Kick-Off event Community Gathering to Clean Flushing Bay! followed later this summer by Live @ Flushing Bay! (Guardians of Flushing Bay): Mobilizing the community to stand up for improved water quality in Flushing Bay and Creek through a waterfront clean-up on May 7, 2016 and cultural programming along the waterfront.

The first SOUP was held as part of an Earth Week Kickoff event which included programming, classes, and giveaways created in part by Green Earth Urban Gardens, the NYC Compost Project hosted by the Queens Botanical Gardens, Partnership for Parks, GrowNYC Zero Waste Programs funded by NYC Sanitation, Flushing CSA, Gutsier Living, Body and Brain Yoga and Tai Chi, and Susten Corp. A raffle to raise funds for the upcoming SOUP in Fall 2016, was sponsored by Hydroponic Garden Centers Inc., Neil’s Natural Market, Garden World, and TD Bank.

Relevant Press + Media

QNS.COM 3/11/16

Times Ledger 4/22/16

NY1 4/25/16

Queens Examiner 4/27/16

NY1 6/6/16

Queens Tribune 6/8/16

Enjoy a $5 Gourmet Meal with Your Neighbors! 2017 Greater Flushing Soup This coming Earth Day, April 22, 2017, Queens residents have the opportunity to participate in Queens SOUP, a crowd-funded micro-granting community dinner, hosted by the…

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