Brewing Justice
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Just when I needed a little pick me up, some coffee news came in.
Daniel Jaffee, assistant professor of Sociology at Washington State University Vancouver, has been awarded the 2007 C. Wright Mills Book Award, from the Society for the Study of Social Problems for his book, Brewing Justice: Fair Trade Coffee, Sustainability, and Survival. Jaffee, a self proclaimed dedicated coffee drinker, said he was concerned about the social and environmental impacts of his choices. His book looks at the economic policies behind fair trade and how it can benefit those involved in the industry.
Drink it in,
J.
Technical difficulties…
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Hey all, our archives are temporarily unavailable. If you are looking for a particular story, please email me, and I will get you the info. Look for the full meal deal again next week.
thx-
J.
Lions and Tigers and … you know
Filed Under News, Vancouver | Leave a Comment
Believe it or not, mighty jungle inhabitants have come to Vancouver.
The Washington State School for the Blind’s Sensory Safari exhibit opens Sept. 5. It features large animals that probably once dwelt in jungles or forests (or zoos). All have been expertly stuffed and positioned in ferocious, lifelike positions. I’m talking big-time taxidermy here, not Muppets.
The displays are within arm’s reach and are meant to be touched. This means that people who are blind or have low vision levels can get to know the animals by feeling their features. For those who have gone through life without seeing photos or drawings of these animals, the exhibit could mean discovering them for the first time.
I imagine that would be an amazing experience – at least as awe-inspiring as catching your first sunrise. But I have to admit that during my preview of the exhibit this spring, I was a little frightened. Imagine walking into a room full of giant wild animals frozen in time – all very big, all very hairy, all watching you. And quite magnificent.
Whether you can see or not, there’s nothing like shaking a bear’s paw.
Sensory Safari’s grand opening is Sept. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will include live Southeast African music and an Aurora Borealis light show. Tickets are $35 for the event, which is a fundraiser for the Washington School for the Blind Foundation.
The public viewing schedule will be set in September. For details call WSSB at 360-696-6321.
-Charity Thompson
New Mint Tea/Farm Direct Food
Filed Under A Green Life, Devour, Vancouver | Leave a Comment
So anyone who reads this blog knows that my love for the wonderful Uptown Vancouver imports shop Mint Tea is eclipsed only by my love of food in general and farmer-direct food, specifically.
So my little mind was blown when I found out the new Mint Tea at 2014 Main Street is now the West Side host for Summer S.’s amazing farmer food share program. Basically Dee Creek Farm partners with other nearby farmers to drop food to folks who order it in advance. The best part is that often there is extra bonus food like blueberries, honey and feta cheese that you can impulse buy on the spot. I myself got 12 lovely eggs from Greyfields Farm on Puget Island. Aw yeah.
BTW, the new MT is absolutely gorgeous inside and should be open any minute, with drumming lessons and the monthly full moon drum circle this Saturday night starting the kick off. While still beautiful, proprietors Jenna and Abdul look positively exhausted, and I encourage folks to drop by and give them as many props as possible this weekend.
J.
Ilwaco City Wide Art Walk
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Did you notice? Gas prices are way down and temperatures are way up. So, do the obvious — go to the coast.
This Thursday is the Ilwaco City Wide Art Walk from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Art exhibits, demos, snacks, music are on the menu from places like The Antique Gallery, Shoalwater Cove Gallery, Peninsula Wine Merchants, Just Treasures Antiques, Baker Bay Gallery, Wade Gallery, The Inn at Harbour Village and the various fine dining restaurants at the Port. I’ve eaten at a couple of them — they are worth the drive alone.
The photo above is by one Mr. Bruce Peterson, talented photographer, East Coast ex-pat, and top Ilwaco champion. He and his wife own the lovely Wade Gallery.
And if a buzz out to Ilwaco is too much on a school night, this weekend is a Weekend of Music at the Port and on the peninsula with Blues and Seafood, including the Bite of Ilwaco on Saturday, and, on Sunday, the festivities continue with Jazz and Oysters in historic Oysterville. And if you don’t like oysters (gasp, I know), pick up some cranberries at Oysterville Sea Farms — they are delicious.
J.
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere…
Filed Under Devour, Vancouver | Leave a Comment
When someone says to you, “You can be an official beer judge for the Clark County Fair,” there is no time for hesitation. These words are like gold to any overly judgmental beer lover, such as myself.
Unbeknownst to me, Vancouver’s Bader Beer and Wine Supply has hosted the official judging for the home brew and wine contests for many years, and you just show up on the designated night to be a judge. You just show up! No credentials required! But I have to warn you – it was intense.
I imagined a casual gathering of beerheads sipping delicious home brew and chatting. Instead, we were split into tables of four and each table had to have an experienced judge and we got a giant packet of official style guidelines for beer, mead and cider. A judge’s job is to put her or his personal preferences aside and evaluate the beer in question against what the guidelines say it should be like.
No “I like this!” or “This tastes like a Band-Aid.” Instead, you’re looking for nodes of horse blanket or fresh-cut grass if that’s what the style guidelines call for. Some were good, some were not. With every crack of a new bottle of beer, you just have to cross your fingers that it won’t taste like skunk.
- Megan
Tour d’Organics comes to Clark County
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This year OrganicAthlete Portland — a vegan cycling organization — will bring the annual Tour d’Organics to Clark County. Registration is open for the Sept. 6 rides. There is NO day-of registration this year.
Rides will be 35, 65 and 100 miles and will start at the Natural Capital Center in Portland. The organization is currently working with local farms to set up rest stops. Contact Portland Ride Director Jim Stuck for more info.
Talk about veggie-fueled fun!
J.
