Serge the Concierge

2 in a Day, It's Raining Cocktail Books with 'Tequila Mockingbird' and Eliq Maranik 'Cocktails'

I picked up my mail yesterday and both books I received happened to be about cocktails.

First the entertaining Tequila Mockingbird (Running Press, March 2013) by Tim Federle which takes a literary twist on cocktails.

Second, the beautiful and more traditional Cocktails 'Fancy and delicious recipes for all tastes' (H.F.Ullmann, 2013) by Eliq Maranik due on shelves on Tax Day 2013, April 15).

2 in a Day, It's Raining Cocktail Books in my mailbox with 'Tequila Mockingbird'  and Eliq Maranik 'Cocktail's.

I will share cocktail recipes from both books very soon.

CCSW, in plain English, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Another Label?

It is hard to keep track of all the organic, sustainable, fair trade stamps of approval-accreditations.

Are you familiar with CCSW? In plain English it means Certified California Sustainable Winegrowin, a mouthful.

On a less technical side, April 2013 is Down to Earth Month for California wineries.

A dedicated site shares Top 10 Reasons California Wines are an Eco-Friendly choice.

I will let you be the judge(s).

I discovered CCSW label by way of The Vegan Wine who sells wines produced without use of any animal products.

Getting Down to Earth for Green Day # 247

Previously: Besides Dressing like a Banana, What Can You Do in March? Equal Exchange Banana Month

Long March to Earth Hour, Standby Lights are Evil, Joe Stephenson Kim Jong iL Red Dot Poster

All of us, myself included, tend to leave chargers plugged in (even if they are not charging anything) or worse keep our electronics on even when we are not using them.

Turn them off is the message Joe Stephenson wants to convey with his Kim Jong iL red dot poster, Standy Lights Are Evil.

Standby Lights Are Evil was the March 8 offering in Do the Green Thing long march to Earth Hour on March 23, 2013.

Not on standby for Green Day # 244

Previously: Cut Carbon Footprint, Eat Seasonal, In March, Green Cabbage Cauliflower, Leeks

Plug Out, Live a Less Electrical Life, Poster 1 of 23 Posters in Run Up to Earth Hour

Don't be preachy, be artistic.

The Do the Green Thing team asked 23 artists to create 23 posters in runup to Earth Hour on March 23, 2013.

Poster 1 on March 1st is Plug Out-Fight the Power, an invitation to live a less electrical life.

It was created by Pete Fowler.

Each poster will be available in a limited edition of 23 available to the first 23 to make a buy offer... 

Around the World in 80 Gardens at International Garden Show, Hamburg, April 26 to October 2013

Green thumbs, amateurs of landscapes and edible gardens will have the world at their feet with 'Around the World in 80 Gardens' at International Garden Show in Hamburg from April 26 to October 2013.

The program aims:

"Seven horticultural themed sections will present unique eco-systems as well as cultures form around the world. Visitors will also learn about green initiatives, and experience the very typical regional agricultural and horticultural landscapes with its carefully kept gardens and fruit trees."

I hear echoes of Jules Verne in the event's name.

Bigorneaux, Jellyfish, Mackerel, Blue Water Cafe’s Unsung Heroes Festival, Feb 1 – 28

You will not find Chilean Sea Bass on menu that Chef Frank Pabst of Blue Water Cafe in Vancouver has put together for his annual Unsung Heroes Festival that once again will feature the local fish and seafood catch.

2013 heroes include mackerel, jellyfish and periwinkles (small shellfish similar to snails known in my native Brittany as bigorneaux) 

The Unsung Heroes Festival is designed in collaboration with the Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise program,.

"Chef Pabst’s objective is to avoid species that are over-fished, or harvested in ways that can damage ocean beds – and introduce diners to fresh experiences and new flavours."

Among dishes on meanu are Sea Urchin Scallop Mousse with Ponzu Jelly, Periwinkles poached in Kombu Dashi, and Jellyfish with Pork Jowl and Lotus Root.

Good deeds: 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Ocean Wise  sustainable seafood program.

Sea Snails on menu of Green Day # 239

Previously: Just in Time for the Holidays, Zero Waste Lifestyle, A Book by Amy Korst

Dishing out a Meal in Space, Animated Short by Corentin Charron via Enjoy Space

One of my stops while in Toulouse will be the Cite de l'Espace where space exploration is the star.

I am especially looking forward to their Explore Mars Exhibit.

Space buffs can get the latest space related news via Cite de l'Espace news site Enjoy Space where I stumbled upon the wonderful short animated film (below) by Corentin Charron titled Un Petit plat pour l’Homme (One small dish for Man).

Don't try chef in space moves at home.

In case you wondered, wine is a no no on space missions.

Rethinking How We Live from Our Houses Up, Conversations with Paolo Soleri

The place we call home and how it blends into the wider canvas of our city and our world has an impact on the earth and its resources, the same way that a plane trip to faraway places carries its weight of carbon in its footprint.

Books like Conversations with Paolo Soleri (Princeton Architectural Press, March 2012) by Lissa McCullough help us open our eyes and minds to solutions from an architect's point of view.

"Drawn from the visionary architect's personal notebooks and sketchbooks, Soleri's most recently (2004–2009) documented ideas respond to contemporary issues such as climate change, oil dependence, suburban sprawl, and overconsumption. Soleri outlines a detailed proposal for urban reformulation and renewal, appealing to architects, urban planners, environmentalists, urban historians, philosophers, ethicists, and anthropologists."

Urban reset for Green Day # 233

Previously: Don't feel Bugged, The Story of the Fly and How it Could Save the World

Don't feel Bugged, The Story of the Fly and How it Could Save the World

In our air conditioned environment, some of us pass on picnics and outdor activities during the summer months.

Main reason is some of us cannot deal with bugs, flies, bees and the like.

Some of us crave a 'nature free' natural setting, clean (aseptized) surroundings similar to photo edited models on covers of magazines.

An upcoming book from Cheviot Publishing The Story of the Fly and How it Could Save the World written by Jason Drew and Justine Joseph echoes that.

As a teaser check Jason Drew TEDxObserver Talk in 2011 on flies and protein creation.

Flies in my wine for Green Day # 232

Previously:

Blond Goddess with Asparagus Spears and Sheep, International Green Week Berlin, January 18-27, 2013

Fly Through the Skies with Astro Boy, Manga Meets Science at Miraikan Museum in Tokyo

A week ago (July 7), the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo better known as Miraikan lifted the curtain on a new exhibit The World of Manga Experienced Through Science- Meet the Dream Heroes of All Times.

Manga has fueled the imagination of Japanese youth since the post-war and what science projects start as something that sounds like a dream.

Why not marry both?

Here's what The World of Manga Experienced Through Science aims to be:

This exhibition uses science and technology to recreate the powers of superheroes and heroines depicted in the manga works that have motivated and driven people. It communicates the power to paint a picture of the future, the wonders of manga culture, as well as science and technology and its potential, not only to children but also to the grownups who were once children.

The exhibition brings together five manga titles--"Cyborg 009" by Shotaro Ishinomori, "Doraemon" by Fujiko F. Fujio, "Himitsu no Akko-chan" (Akko-chan's Got a Secret!) by Fujio Akatsuka, "Kaibutsu-kun" by Fujio Fujiko (A) and "Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy)" by Osamu Tezuka (*listed in alphabetical order), and uses science to recreate superhero or heroine powers. It is a realistic hands-on exhibit that will provide fun and enjoyment for visitors across all ages.

The Show Details list 2 parts inspired by Astro Boy:

The birth of Astro Boy
Using projection-mapping technology that projects CG onto three-dimensional objects and changes textures and movements dynamically, the exhibit provides an explanation of the internal mechanisms of Astro Boy through a life-size image. Witness the moment of Astro Boy's birth as he awakes when visitors call out to him.

Fly through the skies together with Astro Boy!
Hasn't everyone dreamt of flying through the skies like Astro Boy, at least once in their lives? Explore the streets of the modern age together with Astro Boy through 3D satellite image maps displayed on a large screen.

The exhibit opened its doors on July 7, 2012 and runs until October 15, 2012.

Opening Hours

10:00 - 17:00 (Please enter at least 30 minutes before closing time.)

Closed

Every Tuesday (Open during summer holiday season)

Flying with Astro Boy for Tokyo Thursdays # 238

Previously: Stars in your Eyes, Tanabata Festival Celebrations Start on Evening of July 7th

Thanks to Jean-François Cloutier of TVQC (Quebec) for putting this event on my map

(* Illustration from museum's event pages)