sierraclub.org - sierra magazine - march/april 2013 - enjoy: let it blow
Grow Your Own Herbs | Trendsetter: Esperanza Spalding | Let it Blow
LET IT BLOW
You can't see or hold it—but you can still use wind's power to entertain and edify on a blustery day. —Avital Andrews
Flying a kite is one of life's uplifting pleasures. This MINI POWER KITE ($15) comes in recycled packaging that encases not only the petite soarer but also string, a handle, and a drawstring pouch. UncommonGoods is a Certified B corporation, which means it operates environmentally and ethically. $15, uncommongoods.com
What to do with those pieces of printed paper you set aside to reuse? Send 'em aloft! There's no one better to teach you how than John M. Collins, author of THE NEW WORLD CHAMPION PAPER AIRPLANE BOOK (Ten Speed Press, March 2013). The book comes with tear-out model planes, plus 20 designs to let you transform any sheet of paper into a soaring origami glider. $17, tenspeedpress.com
Move over, Lego. This WIND POWER KIT comes with an array of pieces that you can assemble in various ways to learn about aerodynamics, kinetic energy, and wind-power mechanics. The resulting mini-turbines from all that tinkering generate enough energy to illuminate an LED or charge a battery. $50, marblesthebrainstore.com
In art school, Colorado wood carver Tom Larkin heard two students talking about how to make a log whistle in the wind. Fascinated, he has tinkered with wood and breezes for years. The result is this WIND WHISTLE, which he handcrafts from mahogany (shown) or cedar. Mount a few of these sturdy pieces around the yard, and they'll spin and produce rich musical tones. $15, etsy.com
Display old-fashioned country goodness (and never again wonder which way the wind blows) with a ROOSTER WEATHERVANE that was handcrafted in the United States from recycled aluminum. $37, bonafidegreengoods.com
Lori Eanes (4); kite photo courtesy of UncommonGoods