Hosting new SFA friends, Chinatown

Korean tofu hotpot-sizzling yum!

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Natalie & Eddie Hernandez, Taqueria del Sol

Many folks have asked me about local farmers markets, where to find a directory, and my recent “Pedals to Produce” bike ride, organized by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition.

Here’s a helpful directory to local farm stands and farmers markets on the Georgia Organics website, integrated with Google Maps so you can find a market near you!

It’s a great time for fall season veggies like root vegetables, cabbage, kale, collards….Ode to the Brassicas!

My e-mailbox is bursting with vegetable, planting, growing and good eating resources! Classes may be local (Atlanta) but many have great websites with helpful tips and products, for wherever you grow or cook!  Check it out:

Farmer D Organics

Oakhurst Community Garden Project

Truly Living Urban Farms

Georgia Organics

Slow Food International

Cook’s Warehouse

“Flavors of Georgia” Festival

Atlanta Community Food Bank

April is Global Service Month and several of these organizations rely on volunteers, so go eat, plant and serve!

Just said farewell to a friend who is off to help make and market bamboo bikes for developing countries. Very cool, check it out

My mom pointed out that strong and durable bamboo has been used for centuries in everything from pipes, housing and scaffolding to roofs and rafts in Asia. Now it is gaining popularity here as a renewable resource for flooring, beds, table tops and limited edition $5000 fishing rods! (We saw them up-close on an Orvis store tour.)

Social Innovation Forum Director, Susan Musinsky, Recieves the 2010 Social Capital, Inc. Idealist Award

Susan will be honored with the 2010 Social Capital, Inc.  (SCI) 2010 Idealist Award at a special SCI Luncheon on Wednesday, April 7th at the Radisson Hotel in Boston. The Idealist Award is presented annually to individuals who exemplify SCI’s mission of mobilizing neighbors and volunteers to strengthen Boston-area communities.

As you know well, Susan’s work in this area is precisely what has helped to make the Social Innovation Forum a success. Under Susan’s leadership, the Social Innovation Forum has grown from a small volunteer initiative to a respected model for directing resources to the best available approaches for solving social problems. Since 2003, the Social Innovation Forum has worked with 39 social innovators in Greater Boston and connected them to Boston area social impact investors who have provided more than $5 million in cash and in-kind resources.

On feminism and gender equity, I would like to focus efforts on alleviating barriers and challenges to success–poverty, healthcare, education, childcare–as well as constructively eliminating remaining bias or prejudice, among men and women. We all have some stereotypes and blindspots to work on.  Women remain grossly underrepresented in Congress (16%) and in top corporate leadership (3% are CEOs). The White House Project is one good organization that promotes and trains women for elective office and civic participation. We definitely need a more diverse and robust pipeline. Running my own campaign and serving in local public office was one of the most fulfilling and challenging experiences. Go Vote, Run, Lead!

As for beauty pageants, folks are surprised when they hear me point out the differences between the scholarship pageants and other bikini-fur coat-and-sports car pageants. Since I attended dozens of pageants to watch my sister compete (and win—she paid part of her college tuition with scholarship awards), I  know the difference between chiffon, gold lame and taffeta,  dyeing matching pumps and how to do Asian glamour make-up. I learned the Top 10 Interview Questions and have seen the best and the worst talent performances. Actually, I would probably be a pretty good American Idol judge!

Natalie, I have a friend who is interested in joining a book club with Asian/Chinese members.  Do you know of any Asian/Chinese book club in Atlanta? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

My response:

I don’t know of an Asian book club personally but it seems likely there would be one type or other in Atlanta. Depends on if you mean 1) read books in Chinese, 2) read books about Asia/Asian culture in English or 3) mainly have Asian/Asian American club members who read any books in English/Chinese/another Asian language.

There are many countries/ethnicities in Asia plus distinctions across Chinese groups—Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong, Chinese Americans–or maybe a different Asian group and language–Japanese, Thai, Hindi…

A few places to check: Chinese Cultural School www.chineseculturalschool.org or NACA, National Association of Chinese Americans (Atlanta). Also found a helpful website on local book clubs http://www.mosaicbooks.com/bookclub.html

This one sounded interesting: Round World Books is a newly-formed reading group for women (ages 17 and up) residing in North Atlanta.  This group was created to offer diversity to readers of all genres and nationalities. As the world changes, we must learn more about the cultures, traditions and preferences of nationalities other than our own. Round World Books will introduce our members to authors from all over the globe. roundworldbooks@yahoo.com.

Perhaps a good opportunity to start one. Good luck!

Great piece on a beautiful and practical award-winning eco-friendly home. WSB-TV’s Going Green Champion, David Southerland, Executive Director of the Perimeter Transportation Coalition explains how he incorporates sustainability and energy-efficiency at home and at work.

Congratulations  to David and the PTC!  View video

Check out new photos here from our Sushi and Eggrolls shows, courtesy of Cynthia Bohannon-Brown and Cbbstudios Photography

Check out our new schedule of classes and events! Ni Hao, Y’all!

House tour, showing energy-efficient features

Congratulations to David Southerland, Executive Director of the Perimeter Transportation Coalition (PTC) for being selected by WSB-TV as a Green Hero. David bikes to work, promotes alternative transportation and built one of the greenest, eco-friendly houses in Atlanta. House website

The special Going Green interview/feature will be aired on WSB-TV, Ch.2 this Saturday morning, Nov. 28 (7-8am) and Sunday night, Nov. 29 (6-7pm). Tune in!