SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.86

Over the years, numerous studies have shown that a walk through the woods, or "forest bath" as Japanese doctors describe it, is a great way to reduce stress and fatigue. However, a new study out of Australia takes that notion one step further. Believe it or not, even gazing for a moment at something green outside of your office window will calm you down and help you focus. Give it a try tomorrow at work!

What's the difference between fall in North America and fall in Europe? One word: RED. Finnish and Israeli scientists followed a trail of research that led them back in time 35 million years in order to answer what brought about this striking difference in foliage.

One man, obsessed with the history of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, decided the only way he could fully understand the story was to retrace John Wilkes Booth's 12-day run from the authorities after having shot the President at Ford's Theater. Lacking a horse, he realized the best way to do it was by bike. Follow his fascinating journey of discovery.

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.80

In 1982, artist Agnes Denes proposed a monumental artistic planting in the wilderness of Finland. Tree Mountain was created by 11,000 people from all over the world each planting a single tree in a specifically designed pattern that evokes ancient artworks as well as mathematical precision found in many of the works of painting masters. Planting took place over four years, from 1992 to 1996, and resulted in the world's first virgin forest built by humans. Check out this amazing artwork, meant to last for hundreds of years.

Sometimes, a tree stands in the way of a proposed construction project. Too often, such trees are removed. The following photos show beautiful examples of architects who decided to not only save the trees, but also incorporate them beautifully into buildings.

Believe it or not, bikes are good for business. They take up less parking space, encourage riders to make purchases more often, and make finding that random specialty shop across town a lot more fun. Learn more about the advantages of cyclist consumers by clicking the link below. Some great reasons to install more cycling infrastructure!

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.62

Sunday Show & Tell is back! Its brief hiatus was due to all of the exciting announcements and activities we have shared over the past month or so. There is just so much to say!

This week, we start with the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory, the tallest skyscraper in South America at 1,066 feet. That's as tall as the Chrysler Building! Located in the middle of the Amazon, this tower was built to monitor the relationship between the world's largest rain forest and the atmosphere. Take a peak at these amazing photos.

AMAZON TALL TOWER OBSERVATORY (photo essay)

Since the late 1970s, China has been planting BILLIONS of trees on the southern end of the Gobi Desert. After centuries of deforestation, advancing sand dunes began to seriously threaten farmland and cause horrible dust storms in some of China's largest cities. The answer? The Great Green Wall! Learn all about it at the link below.

THE GREAT GREEN WALL (article/photos/video)

Speaking of China, American-based Chinese designer Pengtao Yu dreamed up the Cojoy Dual Bicycle. This cooperative set of wheels looks like a cross between a wheelchair, a roller-coaster, and a paddleboat. We'd love to give it a whirl!

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.57

This Sunday, we thought it fitting to start off with photos of a very unique construction: a majestic Gothic cathedral comprised of living hornbeam trees. The framework, completed in 2010 and laid in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, will eventually rot away, replaced by pillars of trunks with a canopy of meshed together branches forming a vaulted ceiling.

Next, a fun PSA from the UK that urges drivers to pay attention to their mirrors. You never know what you'll see! Potentially NSFW.

Looking for a good book to read this holiday season? If you enjoy nonfiction, we recommend "American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation," by Eric Rutkow.

As listed on Amazon, "Rutkow's 'deeply fascinating' (The Boston Globe) work shows how trees were essential to the early years of the republic and indivisible from the country's rise as both an empire and a civilization. Among American Canopy's many captivating stories: the Liberty Trees, where colonists gathered to plot rebellion again the British; Henry David Thoreau's famous retreat into the woods; the creation of New York City's Central Park; the great fire of 1871 that killed a thousand people in the lumber town Peshtigo, Wisconsin; the fevered attempts to save the American chestnut and the American elm from extinction; and the controversy over spotted owls and the old-growth forests they inhabited. Rutkow also explains how trees were of deep interest to such figures as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Teddy Roosevelt, and Franklin Roosevelt, who oversaw the planting of some three billion trees nationally in his time as president."

Pickup a copy of this great book online at AmazonSmile using the link below and support RETREET with your purchase!

BOOK RECOMMENDATION (link to AmazonSmile)

SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.35

Happy Father's Day! We hope you had a chance to celebrate all of the important men in your life.

With the World Cup in full swing, we wanted to share an article that discusses the environmental impact of that event and the steps FIFA is taking to make it the greenest World Cup to date. What do you think? Are they going far enough? Any other thoughts, or links?

Also shared is an explanation for why Koalas hug trees and an awesome video of some amazing road bike skills.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

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

What's the difference between fall in North America and fall in Europe? One word: RED. Finnish and Israeli scientists followed a trail of research that led them back in time 35 million years in order to answer what brought about this striking difference in foliage.

Sometimes, a tree stands in the way of a proposed construction project. Too often, such trees are removed. The following photos show beautiful examples of architects who decided to not only save the trees, but also incorporate them beautifully into buildings.

Sunday Show & Tell is back! Its brief hiatus was due to all of the exciting announcements and activities we have shared over the past month or so. There is just so much to say!

Speaking of China, American-based Chinese designer Pengtao Yu dreamed up the Cojoy Dual Bicycle. This cooperative set of wheels looks like a cross between a wheelchair, a roller-coaster, and a paddleboat. We'd love to give it a whirl!

Next, a fun PSA from the UK that urges drivers to pay attention to their mirrors. You never know what you'll see! Potentially NSFW.

Looking for a good book to read this holiday season? If you enjoy nonfiction, we recommend "American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation," by Eric Rutkow.

Pickup a copy of this great book online at AmazonSmile using the link below and support RETREET with your purchase!

Happy Father's Day! We hope you had a chance to celebrate all of the important men in your life.

With the World Cup in full swing, we wanted to share an article that discusses the environmental impact of that event and the steps FIFA is taking to make it the greenest World Cup to date. What do you think? Are they going far enough? Any other thoughts, or links?

Also shared is an explanation for why Koalas hug trees and an awesome video of some amazing road bike skills.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

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...