raw water: "natural water" – water that is unfiltered, untreated, and unsterilized; companies market and sell it to consumers in branded bottles or through home collection systems for homeowners. *** TROVELOG *** The sale of "raw water" – water gathered from streams, rivers, lakes and other natural sources that is not subject to any filtering or sterilization [...]
black swan: the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of an event that: lies outside of the range of normal expectations; has an extreme impact; and only seems explainable and predictable in hindsight. #blackswan @nntaleb @journofletcher @jonsindreu A term coined by NYU professor, Nassim Nicholas Taleb. The reference is to the discovery of the first black swan after the [...]
gleaning: the practice of gathering unharvested produce that farmers or other landowners either neglected or intentionally left behind but is then available to feed the hungry. Referenced in several Old Testament passages. *** TROVELOG *** Two dozen gleaners—not to be confused with foragers or dumpster divers—showed up for the second annual International Gleaners Symposium, held recently at the [...]
active commuting: cycling, walking, or running to and from work; such a daily routine provides a worker with the health benefits of physical exercise and lower transportation costs while benefiting the environment. *** TROVELOG *** Barely 3 percent of the American work force bikes or walks to work with any frequency, despite the obvious virtues: decreased risks [...]
glamping: "glamorous" + "camping"; upscale or luxury outdoor camping, including comforts, amenities, and facilities (e.g., pre-pitched tents, beds, electricity, meal service), that are not associated with traditional camping. *** TROVELOG *** It isn’t much more than a dirt lot with wood platforms right now, but in less than a month’s time Governors Island will host guests willing [...]
range anxiety: the concern that the limited cruising distance of current electric cars -- and the lack of a charging infrastructure -- leaves drivers and passengers at risk of being stranded. *** TROVELOG *** The Bolt can travel nearly 240 miles on a single charge, according to General Motors. The company claims some drivers have traveled 300 [...]
dockless bikes: on-demand, shared bicycles accessed via an app and then unlocked with a code, allowing rides for an hourly fee. The locked bicycle is left anywhere in a public place. *** TROVELOG *** The Metropolitan Area Planning Council on Friday announced a new regional bike-share system, separate from the Hubway rental network, that will bring thousands [...]
snowfall - Ranking of biggest cities by their record snowfalls. Philadelphia ranks first with 30.7 inches in1996. See graphic at: NYT 06Feb11 - Biggest Cities' Snowfall Records
