“Vancouver City Council votes to allow chickens in yards ” reads the title of a recent news post on urban agricultural notes.  As one of now many municipalities to pass a law in favor of the friendly bird, Vancouver will enjoy the presence of a bit of farm life.  Some of the city’s main concerns, however?  First, taking care of chickens is not the easiest thing; it’s very possible that there will be a mass, casual housing of animals that are not your average Fido.  City representatives are also worried about the chance of having an increase in other wild animals within the area, as chickens are often targets for rats, raccoons, and coyotes.  If there is an illness within the greater population or just one pet at a single home, there still aren’t that many options for their veterinary care.  
I have a feeling, however, that everything is going to be okay.  Having raised three chickens in my own backyard in Los Angeles literally fifteen years ago without any prior knowledge, I can attest to the fact that the care is a challenge but the lifestyle a joy.  Of course, there was the occasional neighbor’s rant at having the roosters cock-a-doodle-doo at 4:00am or the very sporadic opossum attack, but there were fresh eggs to find in the backyard every day and some cool friends whose feathers to stroke.  In my opinion, Vancouver made the right decision.  Let’s see which cities will be next.

-Serena

I just went to a baby shower last week for a dear friend who is expecting her first child in June.  I wish i had known about Little Lark clothing in Portland, Oregon. The company sells baby/toddler clothes with the sweetest nature-inspired, non-gender-specific (perfect for a baby shower gift), hand printed graphics I've seen. I love this artichoke onsie.

Little Lark also has some really adorable T's that are less nature inspired but still whimsical and childlike. The company, started in 2006 by two moms, utilizes sweatshop-free, 100% cotton (organic where available) basic T-shirts, onsies, hoodies, knit pants and hats. Their pieces are just right for your earth-conscious friend and just cute enough to get a conversation started about why buying local and earth-friendly is important. The prints are done in small batches with lead-free paint and the garment labels are even printed on recycled cloth. Most of the prints are also available as letterpressed greeting cards.  
 
Looks like Little Lark isn't available in retail stores at this time but you may shop at their website.

--Raven

Truthout.org speaks it.  In a discussion of what are often considered the “Water Wars” of the California Delta and Central Valley, this news site intelligently explained that such a controversy can never be just about the here and now.  As a necessity to all life on Earth, securing sources of water has to do with long-term sustainability.  Says the author of the related article, “This is not an issue of fish versus people versus fish,’ nor ‘fish versus jobs.’ The battle to save the Delta, the largest estuary on the West Coast of the Americas, really comes down to a conflict between a future based on sustainable fishing, farming and recreation or a future based on corporate agribusiness irrigating toxic, drainage-impaired land that should never have been farm ed at the expense of Delta and Sacramento Valley farms and healthy fisheries.”  It was about time someone explained the facts, the history, and the future in such an eloquent yet practical manner.

-Serena

My advice for a perfect Sunday is to sleep in as long as you're able, and then head down to Ballard for the Farmer's Market. Once you've worked up an appetite and wet your whistle with all the samples you can handle, head over to The Hi-Life restaurant for a delicious breakfast. As part of the Chow Foods family, The Hi-Life is quintessentially Seattle with its friendly, but not in-your-face-friendly, staff. Hi-Life features large plates of locavore tasties fit for the pickiest of foodies. Built in an old firehouse, the restaurant sources ingredients from Full Circle Farm in Carnation, Washington and uses them to make wonderful dishes like my most favorite "clean up on isle 12 hash." This dish will make up for anything you might regret having ingested on Saturday night and then some. A medley of beets, braised greens and other nutrient-rich veggies are lightly sauteed in olive oil and herbs and then served along side polenta squares and a poached egg. This is my kind of breakfast. But if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, please rest assured that The Hi-Life makes plenty of traditional favorites like pancakes and ham and cheese scramble. Definitely worth the trip.

--Raven