SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.85

This week, we feature a whole host of bicycle and tree related art projects, all of which should bring a smile to your face.

Are you a fan of Monty Python? A big enough fan to attach a coconut clapping device to your bicycle so that it sounds like a trotting horse while you're riding? Yes, there is an app for that.

This 16-year-old artist uses fallen leaves as her canvases, and creates some strikingly beautiful cityscapes in paint. Her work also promotes a simple idea: we do not need to cut trees down for paper. Take a look at her inspired offerings.

Before there were iPhones and bluetooth speakers, there were record and gramophone players. Now, thanks to the ingenuity of a couple of Dutch designers, you can turn your bike into one of the latter and rock your preferred tunes with a stroke of the pedal. Talk about a soundtrack to life!

Most of us treat cardboard as a disposable form of packaging. One artist, Evan Jospin, has given the product a profound second life. Invoking the strong and durable yet raw and impermanent qualities of the medium, which mirror those of trees, she carves intricate and dense forests by gluing several layers together and slowly excising the interior. Hers is some incredible work.

BASTROP RETREET V
February 7+8, 2015

Last weekend, 37 RETREETers from 5 different states and 2 foreign countries planted 163 trees at 33 homes in Bastrop, TX, in the wake of the 2011 wildfires, and 21 trees at Dove Springs Recreation Center in Austin, which serves an area severely affected by the Onion Creek Flood of 2013. It was an amazing effort made by a fantastic group of people.

Three weeks leading up to BASTROP RETREET V, we released a promo film that was shot by Shoot First Pictures and edited by FistCloud Productions. A moving piece that deftly showcased our ongoing efforts in Bastrop, it went a bit viral online. Give it a watch!

Aside from planting trees, RETREETers rode bikes, acquired skills, made friends, listened to live music, and enjoyed Texas history over the weekend. In partnership with TreeFolks, we hosted our third annual community event on Saturday night, February 7. Dubbed the MILLION TREE SHINDIG, it commemorated the planting of 1,000,000 pine saplings by TreeFolks and 767 hardwoods by RETREET, to date.

MILLION TREE SHINDIG featured live chainsaw carving by Griffon Ramsey, this year's People's Choice Award Winner, as well as performances by Raina Rose, The Lost Pines, Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies, and Trái Bo.

We want to thank all members of The communiTREE who contributed to BASTROP RETREET V, which would not have been possible without their support. These wonderful companies and organizations deserve our collective gratitude.

To the Eugene McDermott Foundation, Felvis Foundation, Texas Urban Forestry Council, and City of Bastrop for their financial support, and ArborGen for sponsoring the trees, THANK YOU!

To Miller Family Automotive & U-Haul for loaning us a truck to make deliveries, Richardson Bike Mart for gifting us bicycle rentals, Bike World for supporting us on the ride to Bastrop, Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard for donating 15% of proceeds from their food sales the night of MILLION TREE SHINDIG, H-E-B for bringing lunch on Sunday, RECOVER for hooking us up in the merchandise department, and all of the RETREETers for giving of yourselves both physically and financially, THANK YOU!

Can't wait to see you all on the next one. OKC RETREET is March 28+29!

View the album of BASTROP RETREET V by clicking the photo below.

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.53

The Netherlands once again leads the pack in bicycle infrastructure design, installing the first solar-powered bike lane. Dubbed the SolaRoad, the 230ft stretch is a pilot project that will eventually lead to energy collection to power street lights, traffic systems, electric cars, and even houses.

The Giving Tree turned 50 this week! Do you have childhood memories of this classic? What are your thoughts on its meaning? Click the link below to watch an animated film version produced in 1973 and featuring the voice of the author, Shel Silverstein. One of our favorites.

And finally, the Rodafonio! This Chilean cycling band contraption needs to join us on RETREET sometime, don't you think? Awesome!

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.44

Greetings RETREET family! We hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Before Monday hits, check out the below: a fruit map that shows you where and when to forage for food in your neighborhood, a photo collection of 15 of the world's coolest bicycles, and a video of a young Frank Zappa playing a bicycle as a musical instrument.

Enjoy! To those of you who share links with us, thanks!

FORAGING FOR FALLING FRUIT (interactive map)

YOUNG FRANK ZAPPA PLAYS A BICYCLE (video)

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.43

The remnants of a petrified forest protrude from the shores of Cardigan Bay off the British Coast, especially after a rough storm. Are these stumps, buried by peat thousands of years ago, Cantre'r Gwaelod, the Welsh Atlantis? The photos are fantastic.

Johnnyrandom's album "Bespoken" was crafted using sounds collected from various parts of a bicycle. How many of them do you recognize? Quite catchy tunes!

There are some amazing places to camp out there, most of which get their character and charm from the nearby trees. Some of the best in world are pictured below.

Have a great week!

MUSIC FROM BICYCLE PARTS (music and video)

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.26

SS&T has reached the half-year mark! It's amazing how time flies.

We hope you enjoy this week's links. The first, a look at the potential of wooden skyscrapers, brought to you via Michael Green and TED. Then, a record player that plays slices of wood, finding music in rings of age. Finally, the JiveBike, a foldable, chainless, electric bicycle that fits under your desk. A new way to commute?

Expect some big news this week. You might have already caught glimpses and hints here and there...

RECORD PLAYER THAT PLAYS SLICES OF WOOD

RETREET BLOG

RETREET BLOG

This week, we feature a whole host of bicycle and tree related art projects, all of which should bring a smile to your face.

Are you a fan of Monty Python? A big enough fan to attach a coconut clapping device to your bicycle so that it sounds like a trotting horse while you're riding? Yes, there is an app for that.

This 16-year-old artist uses fallen leaves as her canvases, and creates some strikingly beautiful cityscapes in paint. Her work also promotes a simple idea: we do not need to cut trees down for paper. Take a look at her inspired offerings.

Before there were iPhones and bluetooth speakers, there were record and gramophone players. Now, thanks to the ingenuity of a couple of Dutch designers, you can turn your bike into one of the latter and rock your preferred tunes with a stroke of the pedal. Talk about a soundtrack to life!

Three weeks leading up to BASTROP RETREET V, we released a promo film that was shot by Shoot First Pictures and edited by FistCloud Productions. A moving piece that deftly showcased our ongoing efforts in Bastrop, it went a bit viral online. Give it a watch!

MILLION TREE SHINDIG featured live chainsaw carving by Griffon Ramsey, this year's People's Choice Award Winner, as well as performances by Raina Rose, The Lost Pines, Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies, and Trái Bo.

We want to thank all members of The communiTREE who contributed to BASTROP RETREET V, which would not have been possible without their support. These wonderful companies and organizations deserve our collective gratitude.

To the Eugene McDermott Foundation, Felvis Foundation, Texas Urban Forestry Council, and City of Bastrop for their financial support, and ArborGen for sponsoring the trees, THANK YOU!

Can't wait to see you all on the next one. OKC RETREET is March 28+29!

View the album of BASTROP RETREET V by clicking the photo below.

The Netherlands once again leads the pack in bicycle infrastructure design, installing the first solar-powered bike lane. Dubbed the SolaRoad, the 230ft stretch is a pilot project that will eventually lead to energy collection to power street lights, traffic systems, electric cars, and even houses.

The Giving Tree turned 50 this week! Do you have childhood memories of this classic? What are your thoughts on its meaning? Click the link below to watch an animated film version produced in 1973 and featuring the voice of the author, Shel Silverstein. One of our favorites.

And finally, the Rodafonio! This Chilean cycling band contraption needs to join us on RETREET sometime, don't you think? Awesome!

Greetings RETREET family! We hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Before Monday hits, check out the below: a fruit map that shows you where and when to forage for food in your neighborhood, a photo collection of 15 of the world's coolest bicycles, and a video of a young Frank Zappa playing a bicycle as a musical instrument.

Enjoy! To those of you who share links with us, thanks!

The remnants of a petrified forest protrude from the shores of Cardigan Bay off the British Coast, especially after a rough storm. Are these stumps, buried by peat thousands of years ago, Cantre'r Gwaelod, the Welsh Atlantis? The photos are fantastic.

Johnnyrandom's album "Bespoken" was crafted using sounds collected from various parts of a bicycle. How many of them do you recognize? Quite catchy tunes!

There are some amazing places to camp out there, most of which get their character and charm from the nearby trees. Some of the best in world are pictured below.

Have a great week!

SS&T has reached the half-year mark! It's amazing how time flies.

Expect some big news this week. You might have already caught glimpses and hints here and there...