Author Archives: Rachel Dornhelm

About Rachel Dornhelm

Rachel Dornhelm got her start in radio at WHYY. After anthropology graduate school, Rachel lived in Uzbekistan working with youth near the drying Aral Sea. Rachel returned to radio full-time in 2001. Her work has appeared on WNYC, WBUR, Marketplace, NPR news magazines and KQED.

Bay Area's Small Farmers Take to Selling Excess Crops Online

May 10, 2013, 4:01 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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CropMobster grew organically, like everything else at Sonoma County’s Bloomfield Farms. The website connects individuals and nonprofits with food producers who offer items for deep discount or donation and, in the process, help tackle the perennial problem of waste. “Food … Continue reading »

Filed under: Agriculture, Tech
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A Wild Kingdom Right in the Middle of San Jose

April 25, 2013, 12:16 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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Who knew? Downtown San Jose is booming with exotic wildlife. Earlier this month came news that beavers had returned to the Guadalupe River after a long absence. Now … an update on the falcons that are making their nest on … Continue reading »

Filed under: Animals and Wildlife, Environment, San Jose, Science
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Even Bolts That Haven't Failed Will Be Replaced on Bay Bridge; Expert Slams Caltrans

April 24, 2013, 3:42 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Caltrans say they will replace or reinforce all 96 of the 2008 anchor bolts installed in the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, not just the 30 that have failed so far. Those … Continue reading »

Filed under: Oakland, Transportation, Uncategorized
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Where and When to Catch a Glimpse Today of First Night-Flying Solar Plane

April 23, 2013, 12:24 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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Q: What has the wingspan of a Boeing 747 but weighs the same as an average car? A: The first solar-powered aircraft able to fly both day and night. The Swiss-engineered Solar Impulse airplane came to town last month. It's scheduled … Continue reading »

Filed under: Energy, Environment, Tech, Transportation, Uncategorized
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National Parks' Benefit to Bay Area: $445 Million

March 1, 2013, 3:20 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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Point Reyes Station, a pastoral West Marin outpost, has a population of 848. But on one recent weekday, parking is tight on the town’s main street and there is a steady stream of foot traffic. Steve Costa, co-owner of Point … Continue reading »

Filed under: Animals and Wildlife, Economy, Environment, Federal Government, Recreation, Tourism
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BART Closer to Allowing Bikes on Trains at All Hours

February 15, 2013, 4:00 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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BART is rolling closer to allowing bikes on its trains all day, every day. The transit system is setting up a pilot program from Monday, Mar. 18 through Friday, Mar. 22 that will allows bikes at all hours throughout the … Continue reading »

Filed under: Recreation, Transportation
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BART Outage Leads to Alternate Commutes

June 14, 2012, 12:24 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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Oakland got an unexpected influx of visitors this morning. Many people headed to San Francisco on BART from the East Bay this morning, ended up rerouted through Oakland City Center. BART riders were told (sometimes in reportedly cryptic messages) that … Continue reading »

Filed under: Oakland, San Francisco, Transportation
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'I Am Closing:' Cafe Gratitude Owners Will Shut Down Rather Than Fight Lawsuits

November 30, 2011, 3:58 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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UPDATE: SFWeekly reports that the Santa Cruz location may be staying open Since word first came yesterday that the popular vegan restaurant Cafe Gratitude was closing its seven Northern California locations, the story has gotten stranger and stranger. Co-owner Terces … Continue reading »

Filed under: Labor
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World AIDS Day Commemorations Around the Bay - December 1

November 30, 2011, 12:47 pm • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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A number of commemorations for World AIDS Day are planned tomorrow. At noon, people will gather at the National Aids Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park: And throughout the day there will be events in the Castro:

Filed under: Health, San Francisco, Uncategorized
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Former Oakland Raider Chester McGlockton dies

November 30, 2011, 10:51 am • Posted by Rachel Dornhelm
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AP is confirming Stanford assistant coach and four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Chester McGlockton has died: McGlockton died overnight. He was 42. The cause of death was not immediately announced. A native of Whiteville, N.C., McGlockton starred at Clemson before … Continue reading »

Filed under: Uncategorized