Well, the storm arrived. So far not too much rain, but it's pretty impressive nevertheless (at least by Israeli winter 2009 standards).

We finally got a decent rainstorm after a terribly dry January and first half of February (usually the rainiest time of year). It was the driest January in 80 years (or so I am told). Last weekend the rains finally came, and a total of 44 millimeters fell in 3 days, twice as much as the amount that fell the entire month of January.  In case anyone's interested, the total rainfall for the year at Gezer so far is 300 millimeters.Our yearly average is 500, so we've only reached 60%, with the major part of the winter behind us.  BUT- a big rainstorm is heading our way from the Mediterranean, and should begin falling tonight and continue for 3 days (or 40?)
I headed down to the Negev with Patches, Lee and Sheli a couple weekends ago to a site where last winter we witnessed a carpet of red anemones. This year- gornisht.  But the wildflowers around Gezer have been beautiful. I'll post a few photos below.
I am working to set up an environmental center in an Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem. The long term idea is for the center to be a pilot project for additional centers, both in East and West Jerusalem. They will serve mainly as educational centers for kids, but may also include a recycling center, research facility, agricultural and nature center, and function as a green "oasis" within a highly built up urban area. Does anyone have any experience with starting this type of project?  Obviously I'm in contact with several people with knowledge in the field, but additional knowledge would be great.

I'm thinking about posting the rainfall every few days. Or maybe the Kinneret level. Does this interest anyone out there?

This week is Tu B' Shvat, the Jewish holiday of the trees.  We will be planting trees this week and next in the area of the olive groves.  They will be of several varieties, not olives. This will create a healthier  grove that is home to many types of life, as well as doing our part to increase the number of trees on the planet.  If you want to help, just make a donation to the environmental organization of your choice. Then send us  the name of the organization in a letter (use the "contact" link at the top of the page). We'll make sure a tree gets planted in your name.  And let the organization you chose know that gezerolives supports their efforts!
Happy holiday!