SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.112

A major construction project is underway on the east coast of the US, one that will allow cyclists to visit 15 states on a single bike path. Stretching 3,000 miles, The East Coast Greenway will showcase 450 communities visitors on two-wheels, providing an amazing opportunity to travel the country. Let's do it!

A massive fire swept through part of Spain in 2012, charring thousands of acres. When the ashes settled, a startling discovery was made. A group of cypress trees still stood tall and green. But why? Could these trees be used to lessen the impact future wildfires? Read about the enigma of the trees that resist the flames.

Ramadan ended on July 5th, but this story continues to inspire. A 26-year-old woman named Nouran Salah in Egypt created a successful initiative to feed the poor by bicycle. She and her following deliver meals each of the 30 days of Ramadan, bringing Iftar to those in need. Learn more about Bel Bicycle below.

FEEDING THE POOR BY BICYCLE IN EGYPT (photo essay/video)

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.106

We've seen folding bicycles before, but the GI FlyBike really takes the cake. This futuristic ride halves in size in seconds and makes for easy storage. This is clip we could watch again and again. And again.

Happy Birthday to the world's oldest tree! Methuselah, a bristlecone pine, just turned 4,847. It's exact location is kept a secret by the US Forest Service in order to protect it, though we know it stands somewhere in the Great Basin. Here's to many more years!

What's better than a public food forest? One that floats! Swale, an edible tourist attraction built on a barge, is set to disembark this June in NYC. If you have a chance, check it out.

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.104

We've been in LA this week laying the foundation for our west coast launch and planting the seed of a new and robust branch of the RETREET community. It's been an amazing experience, the continuation of work begun in late January.

In the long-term, we aim to hold a RETREET in one of the many wildfire areas in California within the next year. In the short-term, we are fostering relationships with local likeminded organizations in order to augment and connect their existing programs and, by doing so, introduce new people to their missions and ours. For this Sunday Show & Tell, we thought we'd try something a little different and highlight a few of our favorite future partners.

Ron Finley is a true force of nature. Known far and wide as The Gangsta Gardener, Ron is flipping the script in his neighborhood and around the world by getting people invested in their communities and themselves through growing food. Believe it or not, what you put in your mouth matters. It was incredible to spend time with Ron in his magnificent garden and hear his powerful message: less talking and more doing. Watch Ron's TED Talk and get to it. Let's plant some shit!

Founded in 2011 by actor Bill Pullman and his wife Tamara, Hollywood Orchard engages community by planting, caring for, and harvesting neighborhood fruit trees. They share food in open-air pop up kitchens and events in Beachwood Canyon and support local food charity organizations.

For part of our trip, we had the pleasure of staying with John and Bella Allen, who are developing a community center called The Birdhouse - a place where birds of a feather can flock together and hatch ideas. More on that, and future plantings, coming soon.

Founded by environmental visionary Andy Lipkis in 1973, TreePeople grows a green and climate-resilient Los Angeles, one with enough tree canopy, healthy soil, and clean local water in even its most urban neighborhoods. They work with communities to transform LA’s landscapes into living, healthy watersheds: in homes, neighborhoods and schools, in local mountains, and at their 45-acre park. They also have deep roots working with policymakers to demonstrate new green and viable infrastructure solutions for a sustainable city.

Andy told us something that will resonate for years to come. There is a special element in the DNA of RETREET. It's the reason our mission resonates with people and it must remain the focus of our organization. Community is our heart and, if we stray from that center, the trees we plant won't grow. Heard. Learn more about Andy the TreePeople.

There's so much more to say, but that's a good start. Stay tuned!

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.103

There are a lot of rules governing the production of road bicycles, especially those used in races like the Tour de France. Standardized dimensions, materials, and functionality are set by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and must be strictly followed. One designer, Robert Egger of Specialized, decided to throw all of that out the window and push the limits of possibility. Behold the fruits of his labor, the FUCI. Yes, the name means what you think it means.

SPECIALIZED CONCEPT BIKE (video/article)

Speaking of rules, did you know that all trees break at essentially the same windspeed? 94/mph. Explore why at the link below.

Trees give us so many edible delights. What better place to plan a foodie expedition than in the forest? Check out The Forager, a bicycle that enables you to scout, prepare, and consume the bounty that awaits.

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.54

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I. Veterans Day, still called by its original names Armistice Day and Remembrance Day in many parts of the world, was created to celebrate the end of that unprecedented conflict, which took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. One project in the U.K. wants to commemorate the sacrifices made by millions during that time by planting four Centenary Woods across the country. What an amazing example of the healing power of trees!

In Nuenen, Netherlands, artist Daan Roosegaarde unveiled a bicycle path inspired by Van Gogh's famous painting Starry Night. His dreamy pathway is enough to make even the most timid cyclist want to take a night ride.

The Beacon Hill neighborhood in Seattle, Washington has built an urban food forest on 7 acres of public land. Located in one of the most diverse zip codes in the United States, their neighborhood community has come together to grow their own food to rehabilitate the local ecosystem, improve public health and educate about the climate impact of food production.

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.49

In Japan, fallen maple leaves become a delicious snack after a little bit of frying with sweetened tempura batter. Speaking of fallen leaves, read some excellent tips for what to do with yours instead of stuffing them into trash bags. HINT: trees feed themselves!

You may have heard of the Copenhagen Wheel, which sources say will revolutionize urban transportation. But do you know what makes is so special and what the fuss is all about? Watch a short news clip that explains.

RETREET BLOG

RETREET BLOG

We've seen folding bicycles before, but the GI FlyBike really takes the cake. This futuristic ride halves in size in seconds and makes for easy storage. This is clip we could watch again and again. And again.

Happy Birthday to the world's oldest tree! Methuselah, a bristlecone pine, just turned 4,847. It's exact location is kept a secret by the US Forest Service in order to protect it, though we know it stands somewhere in the Great Basin. Here's to many more years!

What's better than a public food forest? One that floats! Swale, an edible tourist attraction built on a barge, is set to disembark this June in NYC. If you have a chance, check it out.

We've been in LA this week laying the foundation for our west coast launch and planting the seed of a new and robust branch of the RETREET community. It's been an amazing experience, the continuation of work begun in late January.

Founded in 2011 by actor Bill Pullman and his wife Tamara, Hollywood Orchard engages community by planting, caring for, and harvesting neighborhood fruit trees. They share food in open-air pop up kitchens and events in Beachwood Canyon and support local food charity organizations.

For part of our trip, we had the pleasure of staying with John and Bella Allen, who are developing a community center called The Birdhouse - a place where birds of a feather can flock together and hatch ideas. More on that, and future plantings, coming soon.

There's so much more to say, but that's a good start. Stay tuned!

Speaking of rules, did you know that all trees break at essentially the same windspeed? 94/mph. Explore why at the link below.

Trees give us so many edible delights. What better place to plan a foodie expedition than in the forest? Check out The Forager, a bicycle that enables you to scout, prepare, and consume the bounty that awaits.

In Nuenen, Netherlands, artist Daan Roosegaarde unveiled a bicycle path inspired by Van Gogh's famous painting Starry Night. His dreamy pathway is enough to make even the most timid cyclist want to take a night ride.

In Japan, fallen maple leaves become a delicious snack after a little bit of frying with sweetened tempura batter. Speaking of fallen leaves, read some excellent tips for what to do with yours instead of stuffing them into trash bags. HINT: trees feed themselves!

You may have heard of the Copenhagen Wheel, which sources say will revolutionize urban transportation. But do you know what makes is so special and what the fuss is all about? Watch a short news clip that explains.