BART isn’t usually associated with pleasant sounds, notably in Berkeley where the underground screech can hit painful notes. But the transit agency is looking to change its tune by bringing a one-day jazz festival to the North Berkeley station for the first time this Saturday, Oct. 11.
Part of a concert series that brings live music acts and other cultural happenings to stations around the system, BART Sound Tracks seeks to transform the southwest corner of the parking lot into an al fresco music venue.
Sound Tracks Music Festival. North Berkeley BART. Saturday, Oct. 11, 3-6 p.m. $10 for adults,$5 for kids
The performance area will be defined by a low white picket fence,artificial turf and picnic tables. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn or camping chairs, low umbrellas and dancing shoes. Fare from food trucks, mocktails, and BART merch will be on sale. The event is billed as a “jazzy ‘no traffic’ jam.”
“Bring your lawn chair and hang out,” said Jennifer Easton, BART’s art program manager. “Housing is going to be built on that parking lot in the near future, which is one reason North Berkeley was picked as the location. This is a way to celebrate the neighborhood.”
BART launched Sound Tracks four years ago as part of its event and rider engagement program. SFJAZZ has been advertising in the transit system and encouraging patrons to use BART to attend the SFJAZZ Center in Hayes Valley.
“We do cross promotion, but this is the first time we’ve done something like this with SFJAZZ,” said Jennifer Easton, BART’s art program manager. “They helped us curate the programming and are helping us promote it. This is a model for how we can uplift our arts organizations in the future.”
Running from 3 to 6 p.m., the festival’s remarkable roster this saturday showcases several SFJAZZ High school All-Stars from the East bay (including Berkeley High bassist Levi Freedman), and 25-year-old neo soul singer B DeVeaux, who is rapidly gaining renown with performances around the region, including the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the Mountain Winery, and outside Lands.
DeVeaux is also slated to perform in 2025 at the Oaklandside’s annual gala.
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The Rise of Sunhops: A New Trend in urban Farming
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Urban farming is constantly evolving, seeking innovative ways to bring fresh produce to city dwellers. The latest buzz centers around “sunhops”-compact, modular growing systems designed for balconies, rooftops, and even indoor spaces. These aren’t your grandmother’s vegetable gardens. Sunhops represent a importent leap in accessibility and efficiency for urban agriculture.
What are Sunhops?
Sunhops are self-contained growing units, typically constructed from durable, food-grade plastic or recycled materials. They often incorporate features like:
- Vertical Stacking: Maximizing space utilization in limited urban environments.
- Automated Irrigation: Reducing water waste and simplifying plant care.
- Integrated Lighting (for indoor systems): Providing optimal growing conditions nonetheless of sunlight availability.
- Nutrient Delivery Systems: Ensuring plants receive the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
The core concept is to create a micro-ecosystem that simplifies the growing process, making it accessible to individuals with little to no gardening experience.
Benefits of Using Sunhops
The appeal of sunhops extends beyond simply growing your own food. Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages:
- Increased Food Security: Growing food locally reduces reliance on complex supply chains.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Less transportation means fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
- improved Access to Fresh Produce: Especially beneficial in food deserts where access to healthy options is limited.
- Educational Opportunities: Sunhops provide a hands-on learning experience about food production.
- Community Building: Shared sunhop gardens can foster a sense of community and collaboration.
Beyond these broad benefits,sunhops offer a practical solution for individuals seeking to supplement their diets with fresh,organic produce.
Sunhops vs. Traditional Gardening: A Comparison
While traditional gardening remains a popular choice, sunhops offer distinct advantages in urban settings. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Traditional Gardening | Sunhops |
|---|---|---|
| Space Requirements | significant land area | Minimal; suitable for balconies & indoors |
| Water Usage | Can be high, requires careful monitoring | Automated, often more efficient |
| Maintenance | Labor-intensive; weeding, pest control | Reduced; automated systems & contained surroundings |
| Initial Investment | Relatively low | Higher upfront cost |
| yield | Potentially high, dependent on skill & space | Consistent, predictable yields |
Popular Sunhop Systems on the Market
Several companies are leading the charge in sunhop technology. Some notable examples include:
- GrowUp Farms: Known for their modular, vertical farming systems. (https://growupfarms.com/)
- LettUs Grow: Specializes in aeroponic sunhops for leafy greens. (https://lettusgrow.com/)
- Infarm: Offers in-store farming solutions using sunhop technology. (https://www.infarm.com/)
These companies are constantly innovating, developing new features and expanding the range of crops that can be grown in sunhops.
challenges and Future Outlook
Despite their potential, sunhops face some challenges:
- Cost: the initial investment can be a barrier for some consumers.
- Energy Consumption (for indoor systems): Lighting and automated systems require electricity.
- Scalability: Expanding sunhop operations to meet large-scale demand requires careful planning.
However, ongoing research and advancement are addressing these issues.We can expect to see:
“Further integration of renewable energy sources,more affordable system designs,and the development of AI-powered monitoring and control systems to optimize growing conditions.”
The future of urban farming is luminous, and sunhops are poised to play a significant role in creating more sustainable and resilient food systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What can I grow