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Month: March 2023

ADVENTURE
‘Soledad Mountain Seed Library’: La Jolla resident welcomes locals to plant for biodiversity

To help maintain the diversity of native plants in the region and stem their risk of extinction, a La Jolla resident has cultivated a new native seed library.

Mary Mitchell, a member and former president of the La Jolla Garden Club, established the library at 5558 Soledad Mountain Road about two months ago.

The wooden structure is similar to a Little Free Library, but instead of resembling a house or bookshelf, the “Soledad Mountain Seed Library” is shaped like a butterfly. And instead of being full of books, its “wings” open to reveal drawers filled with packets of plant seeds and literature on the plants and the insects and birds that encourage plant growth through pollination.

“I would like to help nature a little bit,” Mitchell said.

Mary Mitchell started the “Soledad Mountain Seed Library” to follow her interest in native plants.

Mary Mitchell started the “Soledad Mountain Seed Library” to follow her interest in native plants.

(Elisabeth Frausto)

Visitors to the seed library can take a packet of seeds, plant it on their property and tend to its growth.

Once the plant has matured, the visitor harvests new seeds to return to the seed library.

Mitchell built the seed library — fashioned after the extinct Xerces blue butterfly — after learning about such libraries through her membership in San Diego Audubon, a nonprofit conservation group.

San Diego Audubon, in partnership with the California Native Plant Society, began its native plant seed library program nearly two years ago to promote biodiversity. The seed library network now has more than 30 locations in San Diego County.

There are two such libraries in La Jolla — Mitchell’s

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ADVENTURE
Daylight saving time: Which states want to stop changing the clocks? | WJHL

(NEXSTAR) – We are just a few weeks away from the return of daylight saving time, meaning Americans in all but two states will soon be setting their clocks ahead and losing a bit of sleep.

If you’re not looking forward to the change, you aren’t alone. In the past, many states have tried to end the twice-a-year clock change, and federal legislation has made some headway, but no sweeping change has been agreed on.

Last year, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021, introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). The bill would make daylight saving time our normal time, effective in early November 2023. It was sent to the House of Representatives in March, but no action was taken on it. According to records, a new bill regarding daylight saving time has yet to be introduced during the current Congress.

Federal law says there are only two ways the U.S. can abandon daylight saving time changes: Congress enacts a federal law or a state or local government submits detailed information to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation “supporting its contention the requested change would serve the convenience of commerce.” 

As most state legislatures have begun to convene, some have brought forth legislation to end the clock-changing.

What are states doing about daylight saving time?

Two states — Hawaii and most of Arizona — observe permanent standard time, meaning they don’t change their clocks at all. Instead, they change time zones: Arizona will shift from Mountain Time to Pacific Time when we move the clocks forward, and Hawaii will move from six hours behind Eastern Time to five hours behind.

As of October 2022, at least 19 states had already enacted legislation or resolutions to stay on daylight saving time permanently

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HOTEL
SF hotel industry to hire 1,200 employees in hopes of a busy tourism season
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SAN FRANCISCO – As San Francisco leaders make plans to revive the Union Square shopping district, hotels in the city want to fill 1,200 jobs. 

During a joint press conference Tuesday at a downtown hotel, national, state and local hospitality leaders said they have high hopes for a bustling summer tourism season as the industry makes a slow recovery from COVID-19 lockdowns.

The city’s hotel occupancy rate remains down by 24 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels, but the tourism sector is optimistic that as international travel restrictions ease up, group tourism reawakens and conferences come back to the city, downtown will be vibrant once again.

To accommodate the projected uptick in visitors and conference attendees, the industry wants to recruit and retain hotel workers by providing above-average-wage jobs with benefits and career pathways. 

The announcement comes on the heels of Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Aaron Peskin introducing legislation Monday that aims to turn Union Square’s vacant retail storefronts into dynamic spaces. If passed, the building code policies would change so multi-level buildings can become office spaces, restaurants and retail stores all at once. 

“The challenges facing downtown require us to imagine what is possible and create the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future,” Breed said. 

After roughly 18 months of lockdown restrictions, San Francisco’s 200-plus hotels lost a large portion of their 25,000-person workforce — at the pandemic’s peak, the industry lost about 70 percent of its workers. Today, the workforce is about 75 to 80 percent of what it was before the pandemic, said Hotel Council of San Francisco president & CEO Alex Bastian. 

“We are looking at really growing again, we’re looking at bringing back this community to the position it was before and to take it even further than that,”

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ADVENTURE
Outdoors groups looking to replace historic Abbot Pass Hut

Outside of historical significance, there’s a practical need for a new structure as well

Published Feb 19, 2023  •  Last updated Feb 20, 2023  •  3 minute read

Stonemasons patch up cracks in the mortar at the Abbot Pass Hut, located at 2,926 metres along the Continental Divide.
Stonemasons patch up cracks in the mortar at the Abbot Pass Hut, located at 2,926 metres along the Continental Divide. Photo by Courtesy Parks Canada ORG /SunMedia

Planning is underway to replace a historic stone hut that stood for close to a century along the Alberta-B.C. border, where it provided refuge to alpinists scaling peaks along the Continental Divide.

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HOTEL
Five Essential Hotel Updates For Travel Lovers

1. Aman takes over Rosa Alpina

The iconic Rosa Alpina hotel, in Italy’s UNESCO-protected Dolomites, has been providing hospitality since 1939 and is about to enter perhaps its most exciting chapter yet – as a fully-fledged Aman resort.

Having presided over Rosa Alpina for three generations, the Pizzinini family will remain at the helm of the serene mountain retreat. The long-term partnership with Aman sees the family unite with the brand’s philosophy of intuitive service and a luxury home-away-from-home experience.

Currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment, the illustrious property will reopen under its new guise for the 2024/25 winter season. The revamp of Rosa Alpina will be overseen by long-time Aman collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, who most recently masterminded the monumental transformation of the Crown Building to become Aman New York.

The redesign will include a complete remodelling of all guestrooms. With an emphasis on space, the current 52 rooms and suites will be reduced to just 50, each varying in size and layout. Two 150-square-metre Presidential Suites will form the most spacious room category, alongside the existing 280-square-metre Chalet Zeno, a private refuge accommodating up to six guests.

Architectural enhancements to the exterior of the hotel and interior communal areas will allow for a more diverse and extensive culinary offering, with the addition of private dining spaces for intimate celebrations. The gastronomy will draw upon the hotel’s culinary heritage, from informal alfresco fondues to fine dining, multi-course feasts. The wellness offering will also be extended to almost double the original size and reconfigured to incorporate an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Aman has long held a harmonious relationship with the destinations it

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ADVENTURE
Prep notebook: Eagle Valley basketball gets back to winning ways with victories over Palisade
Eagle Valley’s girls and boys basketball teams are both 4-1 in league play, with matchups against 5-0 Glenwood Springs to determine the league champions set for Friday.
Isabella Almanza/Courtesy photo

On a Valentine’s Day senior night, Eagle Valley’s six seniors led the Devils boys basketball team to a 71-56 victory over Palisade in Gypsum. Senior Gunther Soltvedt dropped 23 points, Branden Villalobos led the team in assists and Nikko Von Stralendorff was the chairmen of the boards.

“We had a great senior night win,” coach Justin Brandt said.

The game was close at halftime, with Palisade leading 27-26. Junior forward Luke Fay scored eight of his game-high 24 points in the second quarter alone.

“At the halftime talk we really focused on our off-ball, help defense,” said Brandt, whose squad held the Bulldogs to just nine third quarter points. In the fourth quarter, the floodgates finally opened. Elias Pena nailed two triples and Hugo Garcia got in on the scoring action with a 3-pointer of his own as Eagle Valley nailed four 3-pointers and scored 29 points.

“Our shots starting falling in the fourth, finally,” Brandt said.

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The win sets up a rematch at Glenwood Springs on Friday for a share of the league title. The Demons (15-7 overall, 5-0 league), defeated the defending league-champion Devils (10-10, 4-1) 69-67 in Gypsum on Feb. 9.

The Eagle Valley girls will have similar stakes when they take on Glenwood Springs on Friday, thanks to Tuesday’s 47-45 win over Palisade. The Devils are 4-1 in the league; the Demons sit at 5-0. In the Feb. 9 matchup in Gypsum, Glenwood Springs won 75-30 over Eagle Valley. Friday’s girls and boys games are at 5:30 and 7 p.m., respectively.

In other action on Tuesday night, the Battle Mountain

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ADVENTURE
Fastpacking: The new hiking craze taking over NZ’s mountains

Fastpacking is a portmanteau of distance trail running and lightweight backpacking merged into one epic outdoor adventure.

Basically, you’re moving swiftly – mostly trail running or jogging, at times power hiking – whilst traversing longer distances with a light essential gear just adequate for a multi-day adventure allowing you to escape the crowds, access wilder parts of the backcountry and experience the great outdoors in a shorter time than if you were just tramping, backpacking or trail running.

Fastpacking is a fast-growing niche in the world of ultralight adventure. Underpinning this activity is the ‘fast and light’ and ‘less is more’ mentality. Unlike any other adventure, it’s unique because, unlike ultrarunning, you carry all the essential gear including a sleeping system, and food on a lightweight pack for a multi-day trip. And unlike heavy backpacking, you rely on your minimal gear weighing almost half that of a traditional hiker’s.

While fastpacking, you’re pushing your comfort zone, constantly challenging yourself both physically and mentally. It’s a fascinating sport that empowers you to be self-reliant and sufficient, completely on your own feet to address unforeseeable risk, making sure you’re nourished and safe while immersed in wild surroundings.

New Zealand has extensive, large swaths of wilderness, along with a good network of well-connected and maintained trails, making it a standout example for fastpacking. The best part is that with the country’s government-run hut system, the place inspires fastpacking adventures and exemplifies the lore embedded in the adventure-spirited demographic of the country.

Hut-to-hut running is popular in New Zealand.

Tsewang Nuru Sherpa

Hut-to-hut running is popular in New Zealand.

Indeed, in a country famous for towering mountains, rugged coastlines, and amiable locals, fastpacking allows an ideal framework for exploring. Particularly, hut-to-hut running is popular in New Zealand where a network of backcountry huts operated by the Department of Conservation (DOC) provides

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ADVENTURE
New program launches to recruit teachers to West Virginia

The West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, in partnership with West Virginia University and the West Virginia Department of Education, is working to make West Virginia a destination for new teachers.

Amid a critical teacher shortage, a team of education experts from the three organizations is exploring a new approach to teacher recruitment and retention. Known as Teachers Ascend into West Virginia, this innovative program was inspired by elements of the popular Ascend West Virginia remote worker initiative and Teach for America.

The relocation program aims to attract high-quality educators to the Mountain State by touting a work-life balance that instills community, purpose and outdoor adventure with a passion for teaching and learning.

“Teachers Ascend into West Virginia will not just fill open teacher positions,” WVU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed said. “More importantly, it will help recruit passionate, forward-thinking individuals to educate our students in new and exciting ways that prepare them for jobs of the future.”

Over the next few months, a pilot program will be designed based on targeted research, focus groups and nationwide consultations. Data collection will speak to teachers’ professional interests, ideal work environment and quality of life aspirations.

“We hope to position West Virginia as a competitive place to live and teach by offering rewarding experiences in our schools and communities,” said Donna Hoylman Peduto, executive director of the WVPEC, who will oversee the program. “To create a sense of place and belonging, leadership opportunities, professional development, community engagement and partnerships with local businesses and community leaders, will be woven throughout the program.

State Superintendent of Schools David Roach said he hopes the program will serve as a catalyst to build a sustainable teacher pipeline centered on the needs of educators.

“We continue to explore unique and innovative ways

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HOTEL
Finland is Looking for 10 People to Attend Free ‘Masterclass of Happiness’ to Find Their Inner Finn at Beautiful Resort
Visit Finland – Asko Kuittinen

Countries are always looking for ways to promote their unique culture to attract tourists, and Finland may have just knocked the ball out of the park.

Having been named the world’s happiest country by the World Happiness Report for five consecutive years, Finland wants to share its secret to happiness with the world.

To do this, they are offering an all-expenses-paid retreat to attend a Masterclass on Happiness through their tourism arm, Visit Finland.

The first country to ever host its own masterclass, Finland will connect the lucky participants with expert coaches who will guide them towards a balanced way of life that promotes happiness the Finnish way. The coaching will cover four key themes: nature and lifestyle, health and balance, design and everyday, and food and well-being.

The Masterclass of Happiness will be held from June 12-15, 2023 at the Kuru Resort in Finland. Ten chosen participants from around the world will arrive in Finland on June 11 and depart on June 16.

GNN reached out to the organizers who’ve confirmed that all travel expenses, including flights and accommodations, are included for the ten people selected.

LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS?: Couple Quit Jobs to Travel the World in Van They Renovated and Transformed for 25K – LOOK

Applications are open until April 2. Applicants can apply individually or with one other person by visiting www.visitfinland.com/en/find-your-inner-finn.

The coaches of the Masterclass are leading experts in their various fields who will help the participants find inner balance and connect with nature and themselves.

“Finns are often asked, ‘why are you so happy?’ We believe Finnish happiness stems from a close relationship with nature and our down-to-earth lifestyle,” said Heli Jimenez, Senior Director of International Marketing at Business Finland.

“Finland is full of immersive experiences

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ADVENTURE
A journey to the heart of a melting glacier as climate clock ticks | Nature | News

The trek to the heart of a melting glacier is as dangerous as a future without the ice masses themselves. A helmet and a carabiner are our defence against the treacherously steep mountains dwarfing Argentina’s Perito Moreno. But the ice surrounding us is powerless to guard itself from its biggest threat – rising temperatures.

Adding stainless steel crampons to our armour, photographer Adam Gerrard and I journeyed to one of the last magical caves on the giant glacier.

The cavity’s beautiful arch tinged with every shade of blue has yet to become a victim of our warming world.

But drip by drip, these fairy tale features have disappeared.

Our experienced guide Lisandro warned us not to be drawn into the mesmerising shelter in case it came crumbling down.

The ice beneath us fell at least a century before the start of the revolution that would ultimately contribute to its demise- the industrial age.

The sound of crushed glass resonated from beneath us as the spikes hooked and hitched into the icy expanse.

The global warming frontline is a deceivingly idyllic place with ragged chunks of pale and delicate blues – known as seracs – towering and glowing in the morning sunshine.

Clambering across the pitted terrain revealed deep crevices and fractures with hues of electric blue from a science fiction dreamscape.

The rush of water plunging down narrow drain-like holes, called moulins, echoed as the glacier’s “internal plumbing system” funnelled meltwater from the ice surface to its base below.

The hiss of a rushing rapid river reverberated through the icescape when water twisted and turned before us.

A spotless patch of 400-year-old ice near its edge provided the perfect perch for lunch with an unforgettable view.

And the pools of freezing freshwater invited us for a drink, which we accepted

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