Linda's Blogspot

  Exploring Senegal's Extraordinary Shell Islands of Joal-Fadiouth ​Off the coast of Senegal, nestled within the tranquil embrace of the Sine-Saloum Delta, lies an architectural marvel born not of stone or brick, but of the sea itself. The twin islands of Joal-Fadiouth stand as a testament to centuries of human ingenuity and sustainable living, their very foundations built from the discarded shells of mollusks. This unique destination offers visitors a glimpse into a captivating culture and a landscape unlike any other on Earth. ​Fadiouth: The Island That Breathes Shells ​Connected to the mainland town of Joal by a long, creaking wooden bridge, Fadiouth is often referred to as "the living island." As you step onto its shores, the first thing that strikes you is the sound – a soft, persistent crunch underfoot . This isn't gravel; it's a symphony of millions upon millions of tiny clam and cockle shells , meticulously discarded over centuries by the local Serer p...

Lake Merritt  was the first wildlife refuge in Northern California. The WikiExplorers' scientific exploration field guide to highlight the lake's ecological significance: ​ WikiExplorers Field Guide: The Birds of Lake Merritt ​ Location: Lake Merritt, Oakland, California Date: March 2026 (Migration Season!) Observation Mission: Document the diverse birdlife of North America's first wildlife refuge. ​Welcome, WikiExplorers, to the shores of Lake Merritt! This isn't just a beautiful tidal lagoon; it's a vital rest stop and home for hundreds of bird species. Keep your cameras ready and your eyes peeled—you're about to meet some of Oakland's most ancient residents! ​ What Makes Lake Merritt Special for Birds? ​As an estuary (brackish water), Lake Merritt offers a unique buffet for birds: ​ Fish & Invertebrates: A mix of salt and freshwater species thrive here. ​ Protected Waters: Its calm, enclosed nature provides shelter from predators and s...

  The Freeway to Nowhere – Understanding Oakland's I-980 ​ By The WikiExplorers (with Ms. Rivers) March 2026 ​Today, as WikiExplorers, we explored the beautiful, resilient Victorian homes of West Oakland. But our journey wasn't just about admiring old architecture; it was about understanding the powerful forces that shaped—and in some cases, nearly erased—these historic neighborhoods. At the heart of that story lies a notorious stretch of road:  Interstate 980 . ​ What is I-980? Interstate 980 is a mere two-mile freeway connector in Oakland, linking I-580 to I-880. But its impact stretches far beyond its physical length. It's often called a "freeway to nowhere" because its grand purpose—to connect to a never-built second Bay Bridge—never materialized. ​ The "Urban Renewal" Era: A Wall is Built The story of I-980 begins in the mid-20th century, an era when "urban renewal" projects swept across American cities. Planners often targeted established...

Below is an article about the history of West Oakland and  I-980 with the WikiExplorers' having a "Culture Crawl" while attending the 2026,  Bioneers Conference at UC Berkeley.  ​ A WikiExplorers' Oakland Culture Crawl  ​ March 28, 2026 – UC Berkeley Campus ​The WikiExplorers were still filled with excitement about learning and knowledge as exploration from the Bioneers Conference as they walked away from the UC Berkeley campus. The air was fresh carrying the scents of eucalyptus trees. At the Bioneers Conference, they heard about sustainable cities, climate justice, and the power of thinking locally and thinking globally.  Now, Ms. Rivers was ready to connect those big ideas to a very personal piece of Oakland's past. ​“Alright, WikiExplorers,” she announced, stopping near the Downtown Berkeley BART entrance. “Our brains are full of future-forward ideas, but today, we’re going on a treasure hunt for history – and a little bit of mystery – in West Oakland.” ...

​Binaural Beats: More Than Just Relaxation – Itzhak Bentov's "Hacking Tool" for Consciousness ​You've probably seen them on YouTube: "Binaural Beats for Sleep," "Focus," or "Stress Relief." Many people use these specific sound frequencies for relaxation, meditation, or to enhance cognitive states. But for the late, brilliant engineer Itzhak Bentov , binaural beats were far more than just a soothing soundtrack. ​To Bentov, these beats were a precision "hacking tool" for the human nervous system , a sophisticated mechanism to transform the chaotic "biological noise" of our bodies into a highly tuned radio receiver, capable of perceiving the deeper, holographic realities of the universe. ​The "Optical Illusion" for Your Ears ​First, let's quickly recap what binaural beats are: ​You wear headphones. ​A slightly different frequency (e.g., 300 Hz) plays in one ear, and another (e.g., 304 Hz) in the othe...

Harlem’s Paper Radicals: The Legacy of the African National Memorial and Liberation Bookstores ​In Harlem, long before the glass-faced condos and high-end retail chains arrived, the neighborhood’s true power was found in its "paper radicals." For decades, two specific institutions—the African National Memorial Bookstore and the Liberation Bookstore —served as the intellectual lungs of the community. These were not mere commercial enterprises; they were liberated zones where Black history was preserved and the seeds of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements were sown. ​The House of Common Sense: Lewis Michaux’s Fortress ​Founded in 1932 by Lewis Michaux, the African National Memorial Bookstore was famously nicknamed the "House of Common Sense and the Home of Proper Propaganda." Michaux, a former deacon and the brother of a famous preacher, decided that his "gospel" would be found in books rather than the pulpit. ​ The Mission and Atmosphere Mi...