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It is the middle of January.  A deep blanket of snow is covering the gardens and draping the forest.  It has been nearly two months since our final harvest, and three months before our first garden plantings (peas).  Yet, this deep into the winter, and it appears that we grew more food than we can [...]

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The Chinese City of Suzhou has Some Nice Places to Drink Jan 24, 2010 Steve Rogerson The Chinese city of Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze Basin with a history that is more than 2000 years old. Known for its beautiful gardens, many of which survive to this day, the modern version of the city also boasts some interesting bars. Paulaner at Kempinski Hotel, 1 Guobing Lu The hotel’s bar contains the only microbrewery in Suzhou, and it is part of the German Paulaner chain. The brewer, Christian Liepke, explained that the brewing is done in two large copper kettles facing the bar and then transferred to the fermenting room, a separate room at the side of the bar but with glass walls so people can look in. When ready, the beer is stored in five large vats downstairs and then transferred as needed to three large vats near the bar, and these are connected directly to the pumps at the bar. Sadly Christian uses hop pellets rather than full hops as he said these were more convenient for a brewery this size, yet many microbreweries use full hops as they know they give better flavour. The Paulaner light and dark are brewed there. The wheat beer is imported in bottles. Jane’s Pub Bar, 621 Shiquan Street This busy ex-pat style bar is one of the better ones on a street full of similar bars. Tiger beer is available on draught and the food is good. The bar also sells bottled beers that are a lot nicer than the draught Tiger. The range includes Chimay, Duvel, Hoegarden, Erdinger Weiss and Dunkel, and Paulaner Weiss. And it has a pool table. ZZ8 Loft, Unit 203, 215 Shishan Road This upstairs pub specialising in American craft beers is quite small with half a dozen stools at the bar and nine tables with seating round them. There were goldfish in a large bowl on the bar. The craft beers were imported from the USA in 12 fl oz bottles. The bar also sold Erdinger Weizen white and dark, Schöfferhofer Weizen and Crystal, Heinekin and TsingTao from bottles and Carlsberg on draught. The Ruedrich's Red Seal Ale is a 5.5% hazy red beer from California. It is very hoppy to the extent that the hoppiness broke through even when it was cold from the fridge. The Dead Guy Ale Rogue is a 6.5% beer from Oregon. This has a very malty smell, and on taste an initial bitter hit gives way to a lasting malty and bitter mix. Also a red cloudy beer, with sediment, so bottle conditioned. The barmaid said people who normally drink the Carlsberg all night are drunk after two bottles of this. Finally, the 5.2% Brooklyn lager is again a cloudy bottle conditioned beer with a hoppy smell. It had a nice hoppy taste with a colour more brown than red. It was good though not as good as the first two. Despite its name, this is not a lager. The bar also sells Brooklyn IPA, which the barmaid said was the best seller, which probably explains why it was sold out. Dream Hollywood, 777 Shiquan Street This is another upstairs bar, but with live rock music. It has Paulaner wheat beer light and dark on draught. This oddly comes from the Paulaner brewpub in nearby Shanghai, rather than the one in Suzhou, apparently for contractual reasons. The Bookworm, 77 Gun Xiu Fang The Bookworm is a cosy combined bar, library and bookshop just off Shiquan Street. There is also a pleasant outdoor seating area. The menu had a range of western and eastern foods, and beer. On draught are Sapporo from Japan, Tiger, Carlsberg and Guinness, and the bottles range from Erdinger and Hoegarden to Newcastle Brown and Boddingtons. Books are brought from the shelves around the premises to the bar to be purchased and the barman packs them and will add the cost to your drink tab if you are staying. HB Hofbrau Bar, 50 Ligongdi Road This is the second of the German Hofbrau chain in China and the beer is brewed at the first in Jiangyin. They sell the lager, weisse and dunkel. Kurukshetra, Northern India The Place Where Krishna Taught Karmayoga (Action Without Desire) Jan 24, 2010 Raj Kaushik From the looks of it, Kurukshetra looks like any other sleepy, dusty and nondescript town of Haryana, a state in Northern India. But driving down about 12 kilometres to Jyotisar, a village next to a lake to the west of Kurukshetra will reveal as to why Kurukshetra is placed so high in the annals of Indian history. Jyotisar is the place where Lord Krishna was believed to have told Bhagvad-Gita to the great archer and Mahabharata warrior Arjuna after the latter expressed his inability to wage a war against his cousin brothers. There is a plinth at the entrance of Jyotisar with a small lake tucked under on its left. A white marble gate leads to the plinth. There are locked tiny little rooms on the right of the gate where images of Mahabharata characters are resting. One of these rooms houses Shiva, the destroyer God from Hindu pantheon. Next to the Shiva temple stands a banyan tree with a platform built around it where a replica of Arjuna’s chariot is placed. The tree is supposed to be an offshoot of the original banyan under which Krishna spoke Gita to Arjuna. Its overhanging branches and thick wrinkled trunk have red threads tied all over. The devotees of Lord Krishna believe that tying of the thread on the tree will help them realize their most cherished wish. Although there are visitors at the sight during anytime of the day and evening but on festivals associated with Lord Krishna and solar eclipse it is packed with huge crowds. In evening, a light and sound show is organized at the spot to tell stories from Mahabharata. Around a kilometre before Jyotisar is located another village called Narkatari where Bhishma, the grand sire of Pandavas and Kauravas, was supposed to have breathed his last after having been nailed by arrows fired by Arjuna, his grandson. A large image of Bhishma is placed in a deep well connected with descending steps. The well is located in the forelawn of a temple dedicated to Bhisma. There is a Panorama and Science Centre where animation films on different episodes of Mahabharata war are screened during the day for visitors. There is also a museum – called Srikrishna museum - housing artifacts and paintings related to Mahabharata and Lord Krishna. Land of Lakes & Temples Kurukshetra is a town dotted with temples dedicated to different Hindu deities. It is also a land of water bodies with several ancient and sacred lakes – Sannihit and Brahma Sarovars – situated here. In prehistoric times, the town was supposed to have hosted the original confluence (now it is located at Allahabad) of three rivers which dried up over the years. Besides the places associated with Mahabharata war and Krishna, Kurukshetra is replete with other historical monuments. Harshvardhan, who ruled over large parts of India in 606 AD, had his capital at Thanesar, the twin town of Kurukshetra. During its excavations, carried out on a mound at Thanesar in the past, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered pottery, terracotta figurines and other structures from the Harshvardhan period. The archaeologists also found skeletons, wells and a water channel as evidence of the glorious past. The city also houses a beautiful tomb associated with Abd-ur-Karim alias Sheikh Chilli, the famous saint and day dreamer who was believed to be the spiritual guru of Mughal Prince Dara Sikoh (1650 AD). Mahabharata: The epic war originally written in Sanskrit was said to have been fought between cousins Kauravas and Pandavas, descendants of Kuru, a king of Kurukshetra, sometime around 950 Before Christ Era (BCE) over the kingdom of Hanstinapur. Krishna drove Arjuna’s chariot during the war where Pandavas were victorious.Gita, the treatise on Karmayoga (work with a detached mind), is a most popular part of the epic. How to Reach Kurukshetra: The nearest airports are at Chandigarh and New Delhi. The city is well connected with a number of inter-state trains having a stopover here. You also have the option of traveling by a bus or a taxi. Kurukshetra is around 160 kilometres from Delhi. When to Visit: It would be better to visit the city in October or March months when it enjoys a moderate climate. Where to Stay: Being a religious centre, Haryana state government has set up a number of tourist guest houses in Kurukshetra. The city also has a few hotels and good number of inexpensive lodges.

Tags: bar, beer, kurukshetra, krishna, bottle

A lunar year is made up of twelve months with twenty-nine and a half days in each month. Every two and a half months an additional month is added creating a lunar leap year. The beginning of each lunar month is marked by the New Moon on a Western calendar. The Chinese calendar counts years in cycles of sixty years. Each year has a label consisting of two parts. The first component is the celestial stem being one of the five elements. The second component is the terrestrial branch being one of the twelve animal (zodiac) signs. The equation becomes five multiplied by twelve equaling sixty, or one cycle in the Chinese calendar. There are five universal elements in Chinese philosophy: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The elements were associated with five planets in ancient times, Jupiter=Wood, Mars=Fire, Saturn=Earth, Venus=Metal, Mercury=Water. Astrologers read the planets' positioning to understand what influences would be dominant in a person's life. The elements are also associated with colors: Green (Wood), Red (Fire), Brown (Earth), White (Metal) and Black (Water). The elements are further associated with the animal zodiac signs. Every twelve-year sequence, the animal takes on one of the elements, until all five have been used. There are various stories about the origins of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Some use the Chinese gods, some use Buddha, but the essence of the story is that a higher being called all animals to a meeting and the first to arrive would be chosen. Before all this, the rat and the cat were good friends. But on the morning of the meeting, the rat, in her excitement, forgot to wake up the cat and through various means of trickery (or cleverness, as this rat interprets) got to the gods first and was thus chosen first. The cat slept in and missed the gathering, and since then, the two have been enemies.Here is an index of the twelve animal signs and their associated characteristics: Year of the Rat Year of the Ox Year of the Tiger Year of the Rabbit Year of the Dragon Year of the Snake Year of the Horse Year of the Sheep Year of the Monkey Year of the Rooster Year of the Dog Year of the Boar Back to the Chinese New Year Article Index Year of the Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 *For the sake of simplicity, I have noted the years per the Gregorian calendar. However, since we're talking about the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the New Year can be any time between January and February. If your birthday falls in these months, and you're not sure where you land, use this website to find your zodiac sign. Healthy, Energetic Short-tempered Stubborn Honest Sensitive Trust-worthy Gregarious Popular Intelligent Monkeys, Rats Dogs Priest Artist Politician Susan B. Anthony, Joan of Arc, Pearl Buck, Sigmund Freud, Theodore Seuss Geisel, John Lennon, Florence Nightingale, Mae West Year of the Rat Year of the Ox Year of the Tiger Year of the Rabbit Year of the Dragon Year of the Snake Year of the Horse Year of the Sheep Year of the Monkey Year of the Rooster Year of the Dog Year of the Boar

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1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 *For the sake of simplicity, I have noted the years per the Gregorian calendar. However, since we're talking about the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the New Year can be any time between January and February. If your birthday falls in these months, and you're not sure where you land, use this website to find your zodiac sign. Chivalrous Gallant Honest Tolerant Thirsty for knowledge Well-informed Quick tempered Avoid confrontation Naïve Sheep, Rabbits Other Boars Entertainers Lawyers Lucille Ball, Ernest Hemingway, Mahalia Jackson, Albert Schweitzer, Julie Andrews, Ronald Reagan Year of the Rat Year of the Ox Year of the Tiger Year of the Rabbit Year of the Dragon Year of the Snake Year of the Horse Year of the Sheep Year of the Monkey Year of the Rooster Year of the Dog Year of the Boar Year of the Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 *For the sake of simplicity, I have noted the years per the Gregorian calendar. However, since we're talking about the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the New Year can be any time between January and February. If your birthday falls in these months, and you're not sure where you land, use this website to find your zodiac sign. Healthy, Energetic Short-tempered Stubborn Honest Sensitive Trust-worthy Gregarious Popular Intelligent Monkeys, Rats Dogs Priest Artist Politician Susan B. Anthony, Joan of Arc, Pearl Buck, Sigmund Freud, Theodore Seuss Geisel, John Lennon, Florence Nightingale, Mae West Year of the Rat Year of the Ox Year of the Tiger Year of the Rabbit Year of the Dragon Year of the Snake Year of the Horse Year of the Sheep Year of the Monkey Year of the Rooster Year of the Dog Year of the Boar

Tags: year, boar, calendar, dragon, dog

31 January 2010Welcome to our first monthly Orizaba Farm newsletter!  This letter is a bit longer than subsequent ones will be, as we review our gardens’ first growing season, update you on our winter activities, and discuss our plans for the upcoming year.2009 In ReviewDespite the record high precipitation, anomalously cool weather, and a diversity [...] The Power of Duct Tape My grandmother, Omi, once said, “Duct tape is like the Force:  Light on one side, Dark on the other, and it holds the Universe together.”I recently received the following chain email:http://teamstersonline.com/forums/community-lounge/16638-best-duct-tape-story-ever.html“Best Duct Tape Story Ever!  During a private “fly-in” fishing excursion in the Alaskan wilderness, the chartered pilot and fishermen left a cooler and bait [...]

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http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-01/14/content_19232078.htm www.china.org.cn The tourism development plan for Tianjin Binhai New Zone has been formally approved by the Tianjin Municipal Government. 2010-01-14 08:56:05.0 Tianjin Binhai New Zone Tourism development plan approved Tianjin, Binhai, New Zone ,Tourism ,development ,plan ,China, parks Tianjin Binhai New Zone Tourism development plan approved Tianjin Binhai New Zone Tourism development plan approved 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The tourism development plan for Tianjin Binhai New Zone has been formally approved by the Tianjin Municipal Government. According to the plan, Tianjin Binhai New Zone Tourism Area, whose construction is expected to be completed in 2013, will be built into an integrated area and international tourism destination comprising of world class theme parks and yachting bases. Located in the north of Tianjin Binhai New Zone, the Binhai Tourism Area will encompass a total area of 99 square kilometers. At present, the construction of the first phase of 10 square kilometers has started with many projects, including the national maritime museum, scheduled to be started in 2010.   Icefall tourist festival opens in Sichuan's Tibetan area http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-01/13/content_19229591.htm www.china.org.cn The 5th Icefall Tourist Festival has opened in Jiuzhaigou, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. 2010-01-13 16:19:42.0 Icefall tourist festival opens in Sichuan's Tibetan area Icefall ,tourist ,festival ,Sichuan, Tibetan, area,China, tour Icefall tourist festival opens in Sichuan's Tibetan area Icefall tourist festival opens in Sichuan's Tibetan area 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The 5th Icefall Tourist Festival has opened in Jiuzhaigou, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The Jiuzhaigou Scenic Spot, listed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1992, is one of China's largest natural scenic reserves and famous for its colorful water pools, snow mountains, deep valleys and forests. The festival, which will run till February 28, involves ten types of services including appreciating ice and snow and visiting Tibetan-style villages.

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Today's Sacramento Bee carries an article discussing efforts to legalize chickens within Sacramento city limits . It's yet another well-written story detailing the advantages of keeping backyard chickens (sustainability, locavorism, nutrition, etc) while touching on the downsides (none?) aside from dealing with ignorance regarding the hows and whys of keeping urban chickens. The story lede caught my eye, though, as I feel it hits the main stumbling block to legalizing chickens dead-on (emphasis mine): "Sacramento leaders have spent a generation trying to shed the city's cow-town stigma . Now they are facing a movement that wants to turn the capital into chicken city." One simply can't underestimate people's desire to prove they're no longer farm folk, even in a city as big as Sacramento, the capital of California, with a population of over 437,000. Chickens, for better or worse, still strongly represent the rural roots that many moved into the city to escape. In any story of the urban chicken movement, look at the opposition quotes of anyone over the age of 50 and you'll see them recounting the days when they used have to take care of (nasty, pesky, stinky) chickens on the farm and why the [expletive] would anyone want to do that to their backyard willingly? More to the point, simply take a look at the municipal codes pertaining to urban chickens and more likely than not, chickens are lumped in with all other manner of barnyard creatures (goats, sheep, cows, horses, etc) who've been banned within city limits. So, the quest to legalize urban chickens isn't just a logical one. If it were, there'd be no contest. When you compare the attributes of chickens and dogs, you have to wonder why the dirtier, smellier, messier, furry one is legal everywhere. The challenge in legalizing chickens in your backyard is one of convincing city councils that different animals have different attributes and can't all be conveniently lumped into a single banned category. And mentally separating chickens from their barnyard brethren isn't an easy thing to do with anyone who's marking progress based on physical distance between city center and the nearest pile of manure. But it can be done, and the list of places that are doing it keeps growing. Won't you add your own ? Photo credit Overdaforest on Flickr When you introduce new chickens to an established flock, there naturally is a lot of fighting. But I've heard there are ways to introduce them without all that pecking and squabbling. Any 4H members out there?And, please, no more smart-alecky nonsense just for the points. More Urban Chickens on the Radio I'm a little late to publish this, but only recently have I been able to listen to the fascinating Think Out Loud show all about urban chickens over on Oregon Public Broadcasting. The show doesn't examine the "how" of keeping chickens in the city as much as the "why." The show's guests include: John Carr: Backyard chicken keeper and designer of The Garden Coop Barbara Palermo: Animal health technician and founder of Chickens in the Yard John Kilian: Dentist who spoke out against backyard chickens in Gresham Ken Stine: Gresham planning commissioner  As you're listening to the show (I recommend downloading the mp3 instead of trying to listen from the web page, as the datastream drops often), take a look at the comments left on the show's web page . Once you get past the first comment re: El Caminos, there's a string of rather endearing stories about why people are keeping chickens in their own backyards. Enjoy! When you introduce new chickens to an established flock, there naturally is a lot of fighting. But I've heard there are ways to introduce them without all that pecking and squabbling. Any 4H members out there?And, please, no more smart-alecky nonsense just for the points.

Tags: chicken, city, urban, backyard, show

Interesting and Inexpensive Things to do for Tourists on a Budget Jan 20, 2010 Elaine Pounder Take a Hong Kong Island Tram Ride: At just HK$2 per adult and HK$1 per child this has to be the best value ride in HK. Seats upstairs provide the best views, and the sights and sounds of Hong Kong can be enjoyed because the trams travel at speeds conducive to sightseeing. However, this is not a recommended ride to take during rush hour! Ride the Star Ferry: Ferries carry thousands of passengers from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and back again every day! The most popular route links Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) and Central (Hong Kong Island). Ferries run from 6.30 a.m. – 11.30 p.m. and with waiting time of no more than 12 minutes, it’s very convenient! Travelling first class (upstairs) is not only inexpensive, but it provides the best views of the harbour too! Shop at the Night Markets : The night markets are a must see for all visitors to Hong Kong! The Ladies’ Night Market is located on Tung Choi Street, Kowloon and can be found by taking the MTR (Mass Transit Railway - underground) to Mong Kok Station and following the signs to Tung Choi Street. The Men’s Night Market is located on Temple Street in Kowloon and is also within walking distance of the MTR (Jordan Station). Take Exit A and turn right into Jordan Road; walk three blocks and then turn right into Temple Street. These street markets come alive in the evening as stalls and vendors turn each venue into vibrant, colourful marketplaces where tourists and locals jostle together for bargains! Here, visitors can test their bartering skills and dine on fast food from one of the many Dai Pai Dong’s (street vendors) offering inexpensive Chinese cuisine. Travel to Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram : Open top buses run frequently from Star Ferry in Central to the Peak Tram Station in Garden Road. The tram is a must for any visitor wishing to get a spectacular bird’s eye view of Hong Kong! Besides providing amazing views of Hong Kong, it also provides access to the tram’s historical museum, the Peak Tower Shops, the Sky Terrace, and for the energetic, a trail around Victoria Peak that takes approximately 1 hour to walk. For those unable to cope with the near vertical tram ride, buses, mini-buses and taxis provide an alternative form of transport. The number 15 bus and number 1 mini bus run from Central and the 15B bus runs from Causeway Bay Visit Yuen Po Street Bird Market: In this Chinese garden, open from 7 a.m. – 8.00 p.m., visitors can wander and enjoy the sights and sounds coming from over 70 stalls selling songbirds, living bait and ornately created bird cages. A unique experience and one that can be extended, if time permits, as the flower market and the goldfish market can both be found on the doorstep. The bird market can be accessed by taking exit B1 at Prince Edward MTR station and walking east along Prince Edward Road West. Watch the Firing of the Noon Day Gun: The gun, which was immortalised in Noel Coward's song ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’ is fired every day at noon. It is located by the harbour on Gloucester Road in Causeway Bay. It can be accessed by walking to the Excelsior Hotel from Causeway Bay MTR station (Exit D1) and entering the tunnel in front of the World Trade Centre. Visitors to Hong Kong often receive tourist packs on arrival at the airport, but there are four tourist information centres. One is located in the International Airport at Buffer Halls A & B on the Arrivals Level at Terminal 1. Another can be found in Lo Wu in the Arrival Hall, located on the 2/F of the Lo Wu Terminal Building. On Hong Kong Island, a centre can be found at The Peak Plaza between The Peak Tower and The Peak Galleria, whilst in Kowloon, a tourist information centre can be found at the Star Ferry Concourse in Tsim Sha Tsui. However, the tourist information centre provides an excellent website for visitors to explore. It is therefore advisable to visit http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/ during the planning stage to get the most out of a visit to Hong Kong. Basilica for St. Thomas - a Disciple of Jesus Southern Shores of India Invite Tourists and Christian Pilgrims Jan 18, 2010 Annie Wesley The church is the San Thome Basilica or St. Thomas Church which has a direct association with St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Christ believed to have been martyred at a nearby location called Saint Thomas Mount. Both the Basilica and the Mount are pilgrimage centers for Christians and tourists from India and around the world. Journey of St. Thomas the Apostle St. Thomas, also famously known as ‘doubting Thomas’, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus who at first doubted the resurrection of Jesus. The same Thomas became a committed apostle after Jesus presented Himself to a group of His disciples, including the doubter. According to historians, St. Thomas came to India when the disciples of Jesus, also known as apostles, dispersed to preach in different parts of the world. He is said to have arrived in South India around the middle of the first century of the Christian era and founded Christian communities at several places. After travelling widely in Asia and making many disciples of his own, St. Thomas returned to South India where he was believed to have been assassinated by an arrow in AD 72. Descendants of the people who became Christians as a result of St. Thomas’ preaching still live in India and are known as Syrian Christians and St. Thomas Christians. Church in Memory of St. Thomas : A small monument built by early Christians as a memorial to the martyred saint later became an important land mark and a church. Over the centuries the church was rebuilt many times. In 1523 the Portuguese rebuilt it in a small scale. It served as a Parish and lasted till the end of the nineteenth century. The tomb of St. Thomas is at the heart of the structure and forms the underground tomb chapel below the Basilica. Remains of St. Thomas are believed to have been preserved here. His Holiness Pope John Paul II visited and prayed at this tomb in 1986. Behind the main alter in the church is a beautiful three paneled stained glass window portraying the story of St Thomas and the teachings of Jesus. The central hall has 14 wooden plaques depicting scenes from the last days of Christ. Inside the cathedral, a 3 feet high statue of Virgin Mary, believed to have been brought from Portugal in 1543, is prominently displayed. The church also has an attached museum with exhibits concerning St. Thomas and the history of the church. Pilgrims Find Peace The San Thom Basilica is a popular pilgrimage centre for Christians in India. Prayers are scheduled in Tamil and English three times on week days and 6 times on Sunday. Some people believed that the sand taken from the tomb of St. Thomas has miraculous healing powers. A small souvenir card called St.Thomas Relic card has embedded in it little sand taken from the tomb of St.Thomas. Historic Church within Easy Reach for Tourists The Church is within the city limits of Chennai, India well connected by international and nationals flights. Once in the city, visitors can reach the Church by taking a bus or taxi. Train is also an option. The South line of the Chennai suburban railway has a station close by.

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I'll be brief and let the video segment do the talking. So great to see this ran in the first hour of the NBC Today Show this morning. I used to work at 30 Rockefeller back in my AOL Time Warner days and I never thought in a million years I'd see chickens clucking and scratching on Rockefeller Plaza. Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News , World News , and News about the Economy Almost six-and-a-half minutes of urban chickens on the tele! Framed Print (Picture) Size: 18 x 22 inches Print Size: 12 x 16 inchesIncludes Framing Grade Glass, an Acid-free Card board backing,

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©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Made in China Restaurant I tried Peking duck for the first time in 1997. I was on my own, staying in a decent hotel and thought, "I gotta do it." It was fatty, greasy and well, disgusting. I thought my Peking Duck days were over. Now, ten years later, I have found that my Peking Duck days are not over in the least. In fact, I'd consider moving up to Beijing just to be near Made in China, the place, in my humble opinion, that is serving up the juiciest, most succulent duck this side of the Pacific Ocean. Delicious Peking Duck, and you've got to try Peking Duck when you're in Beijing! Lovely atmosphere - great design, comfortable and relaxing as well as intimate. Open kitchens where you can watch a lot going on from roasting ducks to hand-making dumplings. Dessert bar as you walk in may make you skip the main course (but don't!) Book an early table to eat with your kids - they'll love watching what's happening in the kitchens. You'll need to book a table, and a duck, in advance. Made in China at the Grand Hyatt Beijing 1 East Chang An Avenue Beijing, 100738 Tel: +86 10 8518 1234 ext. 3608 (if dialing from within China dial 010-8518-1234 ext. 3608) Lay aside, for the moment, your dreams of discovering some fantastic little dive restaurant where the ducks are hung like dry cleaning and spinning around a warm lamp "roasting". Put away this fantasy of walking into this no-name restaurant and praising God as you sit down to find you, on your one-week trip to Beijing, have discovered the quintessential Duck. It ain't gonna happen. (If it does, write me, send me the address and I'll join you for dinner.) Now that our fantasies are behind us - yes, we all dream of finding some tiny place that serves up revelation. But let's stick to reality. You're likely only in Beijing for a short time and you are probably a teeny weeny bit freaked out about the food. After all, most of us arrive for the first time in Beijing or Shanghai and some of us are a wee bit on the careful side when it comes to eating in a strange locale. So I'm telling you: book a table at Made in China now. Made in China is beautifully decorated and relatively small. Teapots and ceramics line the walls between glass-enclosed kitchen stations where you can peek into the roaring ovens where the ducks roast or watch dumpling masters rolling dough. We had a large table overlooking ancient tile roofs of the building next door. But enough about that. The food: gorgeous starters from honey-soaked lettuce to sesame spinach..and then, the duck. A chef comes to the table and carves the crispy duck skin off which you start to enjoy immediately with your pancake and accoutrements. It was gone too quickly and left us all wanting more. After the duck came beef, vegetables, rice and other very tasty dishes - but it was the duck that couldn't be topped. Go for the duck. Even if you're one person, order it and enjoy it all. Made in China is the perfect place to enjoy this Beijing delicacy.

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http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/01/content_19341534.htm www.china.org.cn The Ancient Bell Museum in Dazhong Temple is in northern Haidian District, Beijing. 2010-02-01 09:41:52.0 A snapshot of Dazhong Temple Dazhong Temple, Bell, museum, Beijing, China, tour, Ming dynasty, Jushen, A snapshot of Dazhong Temple A snapshot of Dazhong Temple 1007 7082651 High Definition Photos /enpproperty-->   Lantern fair to be held in NW China Residents pass by the city wall decorated with colourful lanterns in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province, Jan. 29, 2010. The city wall lantern fair will be held from Feb. 9 to March 15. [Xinhua/Wang Zhen]

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Ajanta Caves near Aurangabad, India Jan 31, 2010 Shanti Mahadevan Ajanta Caves are one of the most magnificent Buddhist caves and are situated at a distance of approximately 100 km from Aurangabad and 40 km from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra State, India. Since 1983, Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s greatest historical monument. Most visitors explore the Ajanta Caves in conjunction with Ellora Caves that is nearby. History of Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples and were carved in the 2nd century out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. In ancient times each cave was accessed from the riverfront. Now a terraced path connects the caves. These caves are numbered from east to west from 1 through 29. Of these 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas (prayer halls) and the rest are viharas (monasteries). The aim behind the construction of Ajanta Caves was to provide a shelter and praying place for Buddhist monks who were spreading the principles of Buddhism in the world. Rediscovery of Ajanta Caves A viewing platform across the Waghora River provides an excellent view of Ajanta Caves. The area is beautiful and this was why the Buddhist monks chose this site for their spiritual pursuits. They used the caves as prayer halls and monasteries for nine centuries. Thus these caves that were excavated around 200 BC were abruptly abandoned and fell into oblivion in 650 AD in favor of Ellora, until they were rediscovered by a British tiger-hunting party in 1819. Some British soldiers were out hunting in the Deccan Plateau , and one of them saw a horseshoe rock from a height. The cave’s entrance increased his curiosity and thus the hunting party ventured across the ravine of the Waghur River. They discovered the caves against which were bush, earth, shrubs and stones. They informed the Government about their finding and the archaeologists began to excavate them. Of the 29 caves, five were temples and 24 were monasteries and supposed to have been occupied by some 200 monks and artisans. All the rock-cut caves had paintings right from 2nd century BC on ceilings, inner walls and verandahs, and they are some of the most beautiful masterpieces of world art. The caves have also been found to be ornamented with scenes that depict semi-mythological history. Some are based on Greek and Roman compositions. Some others resemble Chinese style. But however, the majority of them are based on Indian style. The paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. Paintings in The Dark Caves of Ajanta It was believed that the Buddhist monks painted and sculpted in Ajanta caves . Perhaps the Hindu craftsmen of the lower caste had accepted Buddhism. They scooped caves from the 1st century A.D. and evolved practical ways of working in the dark. The torch stick was smeared with vegetable oil and used for lighting. This apart large mirrors were used to reflect sunlight in to the caves whose walls were prepared for painting. How Paints Were Made The colors used in the wall paintings were made from pebbles and vegetables found on hillside. Different colors of pebbles were crushed, ground and mixed with glue. And the main colors used were ochre, yellow ochre, brown ochre, black, white, lapis lazuli (blue) and red. Green was made by mixing lapis lazuli with Indian yellow ochre. Technique of the Indian Wall Painting The Indian wall painting in Ajanta Caves was a layer of clay mixed with cow dung and powdered rice hunk which was first applied to the chipped rock surface. When dry, a second coat of lime plaster was applied with a trowel. The lines were then drawn in pink, brown or black colors filled with big brushes made from the hair of squirrels’ tail. Why Ajanta Caves Were Scooped in the Deccan Plateau? Expert scholars, learned men, pilgrims, and tourists from the world have visited the Ajanta Caves. And in unison every one wondered why the caves were scooped out on this horseshoe rock in the middle of the Deccan Plateau. Late Prof. D.D. Kosambi who was a great scholar suggested that all the caves in the Western Ghats from Shudhaghar through Karla to Ajanta are located on the crests of an ancient trade route - from Arabian Sea in to the Deccan. This may be one of the reasons for the carving in the Ajanta rocks as there were Mandis or trade centers of Deogiri and Jalgaon nearby. The second reason may be the texture of the granite rock which was in layers. This could be easily cut with what-ever instruments were available to the craftsman at that time. The third reason is that Buddhist monks preferred to live in seclusion. But they went for alms to villages, towns and trade centers, and always returned to the ravines and gorges to be away from the crowds.It is best to view the caves in the reverse to avoid crowds. Timings Timings are from 9.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. (IST). Closed on all Mondays. Getting There By Air: Aurangabad is the nearest airport for Ajanta Caves and can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai. By Rail : Jalgaon is the nearest railway station is Jalgaon and connects to many cities in India. From Jalgaon, one can take a taxi to Ajanta. By Road: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at Aurangabad airport and Jalgaon railway station. Chandigarh -- The City Beautiful The First Planned City of India is dotted with Gardens, Boulevards Jan 27, 2010 Raj Kaushik The best thing about Chandigarh, arguably the only planned city in India, is that it is different from other Indian cities which are developed haphazardly with slums and encroachments jutting out every here and there. Bounded by rivulets on its two sides, Chandigarh is nestled in the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It has an aesthetic landscape where nature seems to blend with the man-made buildings and infrastructure. There are trees planted along all avenues with boulevards snaking under the plantation. The boulevards separate the roads from the clusters of identical two-storied flats. The flats are built around large parks to provide clean environs to the residents. Chandigarh – City of Gardens There are gardens all around rendering sobriquet of ‘city of gardens’ to Chandigarh. There are two Botanical Gardens in the city and a third one is under development. The first is located between Sukhna Lake, a man-made lake which boasts of the longest channel for rowing in Asia (it was venue for an Asian Rowing Championship) and Rock Garden where figurines created out of waste are a major attraction. The other garden is located in Punjab University. The gardens are set up to promote research, education and awareness about floral heritage among the citizens of Chandigarh. The third, being developed, is spread into 176 acres of land and will have 15 botanical sections. There is a Medicinal Garden where 75 varieties of medicinal trees jostle for space with 55 species of therapeutic shrubs. The garden is spread in over 40 acres of land. The city boasts of a Bamboo Valley where trees of silver oak and mango share space with other flora. National Mission of Bamboo Application (NMBA) of India has set up some bamboo structures in the valley to promote use of bamboo in the construction industry. Rose Garden of Asia Chandigarh hosts the largest Rose Garden of Asia where 17,000 plants representing some 1600 varieties of roses have been planted. The garden celebrates a ‘festival of gardens’ around Valentine’s Day every year. Besides these, the city also has a Terraced Garden, a Topiary Park where animal figures are created out of bushes and creepers, a Hibiscus Garden and a Garden of Fragrance where different aromatic plants flourish. Poetry on Rocks But the biggest attraction in the city is Rock Garden where shapes of animals, birds, men and women are placed on slopes built from cement slurry, clinker and broken crockery. The shapes created out of shards of bicycles, tricycles, pottery, electric molds, bangles, glass, sanitary fittings, steel scrap and hundreds of other waste materials stand in different postures depicting different facets of life. There are bands of musicians holding flute, drum and other instruments. There are followers of Backus, the God of wine, pouring drinks into their glasses. And there are rural women walking with multiple water pots balanced on their heads. The human, animal figures and fossil images in the Garden show how life finds its replication in nature. Developed by Nek Chand, a former Road Inspector of Public Works Department (PWD), the Garden is divided into three phases. Besides the figures, the Garden proudly showcases cascading falls, high fortresses and majestic gorges. Nek Chand (86) has created similar Gardens in many other countries including United States of America and Germany. Apart from the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, a 3 kilometre long artificial water body which was created by Corbusier out of a seasonal stream and Sukhna sanctuary are major sources of attraction in Chandigarh. Hundreds of people turn up at the lake to enjoy rowing sailing, kayaking, water skiing and yachting every day. The Sukhna sanctuary hosts exotic birds like Siberian duck, crane and storks. According to 2001 census, Chandigarh houses around one million people. Bounded by Panchkula (Haryana) and Mohali (Punjab), the city accommodates governments of Haryana and Punjab States. Besides being a Union Territory (UT), it is home to the UT administration. How to Reach Chandigarh: The city is around 240 kilometres from New Delhi and connected to it by an 8-lane national highway. The airport in Chandigarh, being integrated with upcoming Chandigarh International Airport, has flights connecting to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jammu, Goa and Srinagar. When to visit: Chandigarh has a moderate climate and can be visited at any time of the year. Where to Stay: The city has good five star as well as budget hotels.

Tags: cave, garden, ajanta, chandigarh, city

It is the middle of January.  A blanket of snow is covering the gardens and draping the forest.  It has been nearly two months since our final harvest, and three months before our first garden plantings (peas).  Yet, this deep into the winter, and it appears that we grew more food than we can [...]

Tags: deep, months, garden, harvest, final

With legal urban chickens becoming more commonplace, it's inevitable that some of our less-enlightened neighbors would call to complain about the new noises our chickens are making in the neighborhood. I've seen a rash of reports in the Yahoo! groups recently about neighbors complaining about perfectly legal urban chickens doing perfectly normal chicken things. It's the neighbors that seem a bit, well, uptight and unreasonable. (Our legal chickens have been reported by an anonymous neighbor, too) A certain discussion's been tumbling around the Silicon Valley Chickens Yahoo! Group discussion regarding an urban chicken owner whose neighbor called in the city to investigate her chickens saying there was a rooster on premises (there wasn't). Upon finding there was no rooster, the enforcement officer then cited the owner for having a "too small yard" and asked the owner to get signatures from neighbors agreeing the chickens were okay. Not an unreasonable request, right? Lisa "the Chicken Lady" Green then added a gem to the discussion: It feels so horrible to have this happen. Write a letter to accompany your neighbor's signatures. Include the fact that most chickens are usually kept legally in coops with a 4'squ / bird recommendation. Therefore your yard should be adequate. I have seen very successful 4-H coop/run combos for up to fifteen full sized hens that measure three by eight covered with wall mount laying boxes and a three by ten open run ( 3.5'/bird). Remember to note the change in complaint in your letter, of course state it as an error. Go on line and read carefully the ordinance. If you are within legal limits and there is no "neighbor complaint" clause you may be OK. You can often use the letter of the law to your advantage, (and of course the overwhelming support of most of your neighbors). Also remember that the officer that came out may not have had all the facts. People don't always to their jobs properly. You can also contact UC Davis and your local 4-H for advice and arm yourself with their standards for care. See if you can get to the Animal Control Dispatch supervisor. Describe your situation and request that the complaining neighbor be contacted. Sometimes and offer to see the set up, try some eggs, and work out solutions is all it takes. They won't let you contact them but could pass along the message and request a meeting. Some people complain not because they really are affected by the noise but because they don't like anyone to get away with anything. If they thought you had a rooster and find out that you don't that may be it. (Or they may have used that to get Animal Control to come out). But we need to fight these things. I agree with Lisa, we do need to fight these things. It's understandable that we need to be considerate of people's wanting relative quiet in our urban neighborhoods, but when chickens are singled out unfairly, we need to push back. It's amazing how effectively the brain can become accustomed to the sound of horns, sirens, dogs, kids and other urban dwellers yet the clucking of a chicken will be the proverbial straw breaking the camel's back. As chickens become more integrated into urban life again, hopefully the clucking and bawking will fade into the background like all the other urban sounds we've become used to. BTW, did you know there are over 3,600 Yahoo! groups relating to chickens , you really should find one near you to join as they're full of good neighborly advice like what Lisa's sharing, and they'll let you know what other chickens around you are experiencing in terms of molt, reaction to storms, etc. Photo Credit: artwerk by alphadesigner on Flickr

Tags: chicken, neighbor, urban, legal, group

Ajanta Caves near Aurangabad, India Jan 31, 2010 Shanti Mahadevan Ajanta Caves are one of the most magnificent Buddhist caves and are situated at a distance of approximately 100 km from Aurangabad and 40 km from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra State, India. Since 1983, Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s greatest historical monument. Most visitors explore the Ajanta Caves in conjunction with Ellora Caves that is nearby. History of Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples and were carved in the 2nd century out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. In ancient times each cave was accessed from the riverfront. Now a terraced path connects the caves. These caves are numbered from east to west from 1 through 29. Of these 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas (prayer halls) and the rest are viharas (monasteries). The aim behind the construction of Ajanta Caves was to provide a shelter and praying place for Buddhist monks who were spreading the principles of Buddhism in the world. Rediscovery of Ajanta Caves A viewing platform across the Waghora River provides an excellent view of Ajanta Caves. The area is beautiful and this was why the Buddhist monks chose this site for their spiritual pursuits. They used the caves as prayer halls and monasteries for nine centuries. Thus these caves that were excavated around 200 BC were abruptly abandoned and fell into oblivion in 650 AD in favor of Ellora, until they were rediscovered by a British tiger-hunting party in 1819. Some British soldiers were out hunting in the Deccan Plateau , and one of them saw a horseshoe rock from a height. The cave’s entrance increased his curiosity and thus the hunting party ventured across the ravine of the Waghur River. They discovered the caves against which were bush, earth, shrubs and stones. They informed the Government about their finding and the archaeologists began to excavate them. Of the 29 caves, five were temples and 24 were monasteries and supposed to have been occupied by some 200 monks and artisans. All the rock-cut caves had paintings right from 2nd century BC on ceilings, inner walls and verandahs, and they are some of the most beautiful masterpieces of world art. The caves have also been found to be ornamented with scenes that depict semi-mythological history. Some are based on Greek and Roman compositions. Some others resemble Chinese style. But however, the majority of them are based on Indian style. The paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. Paintings in The Dark Caves of Ajanta It was believed that the Buddhist monks painted and sculpted in Ajanta caves . Perhaps the Hindu craftsmen of the lower caste had accepted Buddhism. They scooped caves from the 1st century A.D. and evolved practical ways of working in the dark. The torch stick was smeared with vegetable oil and used for lighting. This apart large mirrors were used to reflect sunlight in to the caves whose walls were prepared for painting. How Paints Were Made The colors used in the wall paintings were made from pebbles and vegetables found on hillside. Different colors of pebbles were crushed, ground and mixed with glue. And the main colors used were ochre, yellow ochre, brown ochre, black, white, lapis lazuli (blue) and red. Green was made by mixing lapis lazuli with Indian yellow ochre. Technique of the Indian Wall Painting The Indian wall painting in Ajanta Caves was a layer of clay mixed with cow dung and powdered rice hunk which was first applied to the chipped rock surface. When dry, a second coat of lime plaster was applied with a trowel. The lines were then drawn in pink, brown or black colors filled with big brushes made from the hair of squirrels’ tail. Why Ajanta Caves Were Scooped in the Deccan Plateau? Expert scholars, learned men, pilgrims, and tourists from the world have visited the Ajanta Caves. And in unison every one wondered why the caves were scooped out on this horseshoe rock in the middle of the Deccan Plateau. Late Prof. D.D. Kosambi who was a great scholar suggested that all the caves in the Western Ghats from Shudhaghar through Karla to Ajanta are located on the crests of an ancient trade route - from Arabian Sea in to the Deccan. This may be one of the reasons for the carving in the Ajanta rocks as there were Mandis or trade centers of Deogiri and Jalgaon nearby. The second reason may be the texture of the granite rock which was in layers. This could be easily cut with what-ever instruments were available to the craftsman at that time. The third reason is that Buddhist monks preferred to live in seclusion. But they went for alms to villages, towns and trade centers, and always returned to the ravines and gorges to be away from the crowds.It is best to view the caves in the reverse to avoid crowds. Timings Timings are from 9.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. (IST). Closed on all Mondays. Getting There By Air: Aurangabad is the nearest airport for Ajanta Caves and can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai. By Rail : Jalgaon is the nearest railway station is Jalgaon and connects to many cities in India. From Jalgaon, one can take a taxi to Ajanta. By Road: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at Aurangabad airport and Jalgaon railway station. Chandigarh -- The City Beautiful The First Planned City of India is dotted with Gardens, Boulevards Jan 27, 2010 Raj Kaushik The best thing about Chandigarh, arguably the only planned city in India, is that it is different from other Indian cities which are developed haphazardly with slums and encroachments jutting out every here and there. Bounded by rivulets on its two sides, Chandigarh is nestled in the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It has an aesthetic landscape where nature seems to blend with the man-made buildings and infrastructure. There are trees planted along all avenues with boulevards snaking under the plantation. The boulevards separate the roads from the clusters of identical two-storied flats. The flats are built around large parks to provide clean environs to the residents. Chandigarh – City of Gardens There are gardens all around rendering sobriquet of ‘city of gardens’ to Chandigarh. There are two Botanical Gardens in the city and a third one is under development. The first is located between Sukhna Lake, a man-made lake which boasts of the longest channel for rowing in Asia (it was venue for an Asian Rowing Championship) and Rock Garden where figurines created out of waste are a major attraction. The other garden is located in Punjab University. The gardens are set up to promote research, education and awareness about floral heritage among the citizens of Chandigarh. The third, being developed, is spread into 176 acres of land and will have 15 botanical sections. There is a Medicinal Garden where 75 varieties of medicinal trees jostle for space with 55 species of therapeutic shrubs. The garden is spread in over 40 acres of land. The city boasts of a Bamboo Valley where trees of silver oak and mango share space with other flora. National Mission of Bamboo Application (NMBA) of India has set up some bamboo structures in the valley to promote use of bamboo in the construction industry. Rose Garden of Asia Chandigarh hosts the largest Rose Garden of Asia where 17,000 plants representing some 1600 varieties of roses have been planted. The garden celebrates a ‘festival of gardens’ around Valentine’s Day every year. Besides these, the city also has a Terraced Garden, a Topiary Park where animal figures are created out of bushes and creepers, a Hibiscus Garden and a Garden of Fragrance where different aromatic plants flourish. Poetry on Rocks But the biggest attraction in the city is Rock Garden where shapes of animals, birds, men and women are placed on slopes built from cement slurry, clinker and broken crockery. The shapes created out of shards of bicycles, tricycles, pottery, electric molds, bangles, glass, sanitary fittings, steel scrap and hundreds of other waste materials stand in different postures depicting different facets of life. There are bands of musicians holding flute, drum and other instruments. There are followers of Backus, the God of wine, pouring drinks into their glasses. And there are rural women walking with multiple water pots balanced on their heads. The human, animal figures and fossil images in the Garden show how life finds its replication in nature. Developed by Nek Chand, a former Road Inspector of Public Works Department (PWD), the Garden is divided into three phases. Besides the figures, the Garden proudly showcases cascading falls, high fortresses and majestic gorges. Nek Chand (86) has created similar Gardens in many other countries including United States of America and Germany. Apart from the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, a 3 kilometre long artificial water body which was created by Corbusier out of a seasonal stream and Sukhna sanctuary are major sources of attraction in Chandigarh. Hundreds of people turn up at the lake to enjoy rowing sailing, kayaking, water skiing and yachting every day. The Sukhna sanctuary hosts exotic birds like Siberian duck, crane and storks. According to 2001 census, Chandigarh houses around one million people. Bounded by Panchkula (Haryana) and Mohali (Punjab), the city accommodates governments of Haryana and Punjab States. Besides being a Union Territory (UT), it is home to the UT administration. How to Reach Chandigarh: The city is around 240 kilometres from New Delhi and connected to it by an 8-lane national highway. The airport in Chandigarh, being integrated with upcoming Chandigarh International Airport, has flights connecting to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jammu, Goa and Srinagar. When to visit: Chandigarh has a moderate climate and can be visited at any time of the year. Where to Stay: The city has good five star as well as budget hotels.

Tags: cave, garden, ajanta, chandigarh, city

“I had a chicken last weekend who when I went to put them to bed, couldn’t walk/ jump/ fly and was rolling her head, I picked her off of the bottom of the floor level coop (not her coop) and brought her inside, alarm bells obviously raised thinking it was Marek’s or Newcastle disease with [...] Hen Reproduction – Sperm & Eggs “Does the rooster have to cover the hen each time a egg is formed for it to be fertile? I understand, and perhaps I misunderstand, that the sperm of the rooster is stored in the hens body until a egg passes by and then it is fertilized? So does a rooster deposit sperm that effects [...]

Tags: hen, sperm, rooster, egg, coop

With legal urban chickens becoming more commonplace, it's inevitable that some of our less-enlightened neighbors would call to complain about the new noises our chickens are making in the neighborhood. I've seen a rash of reports in the Yahoo! groups recently about neighbors complaining about perfectly legal urban chickens doing perfectly normal chicken things. It's the neighbors that seem a bit, well, uptight and unreasonable. (Our legal chickens have been reported by an anonymous neighbor, too) A certain discussion's been tumbling around the Silicon Valley Chickens Yahoo! Group discussion regarding an urban chicken owner whose neighbor called in the city to investigate her chickens saying there was a rooster on premises (there wasn't). Upon finding there was no rooster, the enforcement officer then cited the owner for having a "too small yard" and asked the owner to get signatures from neighbors agreeing the chickens were okay. Not an unreasonable request, right? Lisa "the Chicken Lady" Green then added a gem to the discussion: It feels so horrible to have this happen. Write a letter to accompany your neighbor's signatures. Include the fact that most chickens are usually kept legally in coops with a 4'squ / bird recommendation. Therefore your yard should be adequate. I have seen very successful 4-H coop/run combos for up to fifteen full sized hens that measure three by eight covered with wall mount laying boxes and a three by ten open run ( 3.5'/bird). Remember to note the change in complaint in your letter, of course state it as an error. Go on line and read carefully the ordinance. If you are within legal limits and there is no "neighbor complaint" clause you may be OK. You can often use the letter of the law to your advantage, (and of course the overwhelming support of most of your neighbors). Also remember that the officer that came out may not have had all the facts. People don't always to their jobs properly. You can also contact UC Davis and your local 4-H for advice and arm yourself with their standards for care. See if you can get to the Animal Control Dispatch supervisor. Describe your situation and request that the complaining neighbor be contacted. Sometimes and offer to see the set up, try some eggs, and work out solutions is all it takes. They won't let you contact them but could pass along the message and request a meeting. Some people complain not because they really are affected by the noise but because they don't like anyone to get away with anything. If they thought you had a rooster and find out that you don't that may be it. (Or they may have used that to get Animal Control to come out). But we need to fight these things. I agree with Lisa, we do need to fight these things. It's understandable that we need to be considerate of people's wanting relative quiet in our urban neighborhoods, but when chickens are singled out unfairly, we need to push back. It's amazing how effectively the brain can become accustomed to the sound of horns, sirens, dogs, kids and other urban dwellers yet the clucking of a chicken will be the proverbial straw breaking the camel's back. As chickens become more integrated into urban life again, hopefully the clucking and bawking will fade into the background like all the other urban sounds we've become used to. BTW, did you know there are over 3,600 Yahoo! groups relating to chickens , you really should find one near you to join as they're full of good neighborly advice like what Lisa's sharing, and they'll let you know what other chickens around you are experiencing in terms of molt, reaction to storms, etc. Photo Credit: artwerk by alphadesigner on Flickr

Tags: chicken, neighbor, urban, legal, group

When looking to add to your urban chicken flock, there are many places besides the feed and fuel store where you can find a new hen including Craigslist, the local chicken group's listserv, and... the animal shelter! Yes, chickens wind up at the animal shelter just like any other kind of animal, but it's not usually the first place people think to look. For a small adoption fee, you can spare these chickens from an untimely demise and add a new bird to your flock. Here in the Bay Area, there are several chickens available right now (shelter names are linked to the respective web sites for follow-up): At the Oakland Animal Shelter : 5 Sebright Bantam Hens 1 Sebright Bantam Rooster 1 Crested Polish Hen 1 Crested Polish Rooster San Francisco Animal Care & Control : 3 teenager chicks 1 teenager hen 1 Chinese Silkie Hen SPCA for Monterey County : 4 Hens 9 Roosters If you think you can afford to house one more chicken, please consider reaching out to help those whose time is running out at a shelter near you. A big thanks to Anne M, a volunteer at the Oakland Animal Shelter , for her helpful reminder and for the photos of the chickens available in Oakland in this post. Before enjoying the advantages of chicken coop kits it is very important that you carefully choose kits that would enhance chicken egg production. After all that is the main motive behind setting up a chicken coop. Indeed the excitement that comes with receiving freshly laid eggs from your backyard chicken ... urban chickens help with climate change It's not hard to see that keeping urban chickens are part of at least two of the solutions published in Scientific American's 10 Solutions for Climate Change . Consume Less: cutting back on consumption results in fewer fossil fuels being burned to transport products around the globe. By keeping hens in your own backyard, you're able to cut back on the transport requirements from manufacturer to your house for several items at once: eggs : instead of trucking and refrigerating eggs en masse from the farm to your table,  you simply walk across the yard and collect your own. Bonus: yard-collected eggs can sit on your counter at room temperature until ready to use (within a month of collecting). herbicides and pesticides : if you're letting your hens free range around your yard, you no doubt have discovered how good they are at eating many weeds and bugs that you'd otherwise have to spray to control. fertilizer: with hens in your yard, you've got prolific nitrogen-producing machines that'll get your compost bin producing rich fertilizer in overdrive. Eat Smart, Go Vegetarian? Organic produce is often shipped from halfway across the globe. And meat requires pounds of feed to produce a pound of protein. Choosing food items that balance nutrition, taste and ecological impact is no easy task . By keeping chickens in your backyard as part of a larger gardening experience, you know exactly where your veggies have come from (and where the fertilizer is sourced, too). Moreover, you've got a great source of low-cost high-quality protein produced for you almost every day: the egg. No need to go vegetarian to lessen your impact on the climate, and no need to eat the birds themselves. A couple backyard hens can produce a dozen eggs a week for you which provides plenty of protein as part of a sensible diet. As part of Blog Action Day , take a look at the rest of the 10 Solutions for Climate Change and add to the comments any ways you find urban chickens are part of on of the solutions. Before enjoying the advantages of chicken coop kits it is very important that you carefully choose kits that would enhance chicken egg production. After all that is the main motive behind setting up a chicken coop. Indeed the excitement that comes with receiving freshly laid eggs from your backyard chicken ...

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©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Shanghai Fake Market Inside the underground maze of the metro station, this market inhabits a warren of stalls. Here you can buy just about anything when it comes to junk made in China. This includes fake watches, bags, shirts and viewing material. Just be warned, it IS fake, no matter what they tell you. Vendors here are reasonably honest but they're trying to make as much money as they can and are used to day-stopping tourists ready to drop a load of cash before they head to the airport so bargain hard before you buy. And remember, you get what you pay for so when you're watch doesn't work after a few weeks, don't wonder too hard why.Science and Technology Museum (上海科技馆) metro stop (Pudong). Say it in Chinese: "kuh gee gwan dee tee-ay zhan". 10am-9pmThe Science and Technology Museum is on Metro Line 2. ( How to Use the Subway )

Tags: metro, fake, science, hard, buy