Who is Miguel? Oack tree - a true story about cork "oak" up...
72Do you know who I am talking about!?
I have this friend who asked me if I knew someone called Miguel (Portuguese for Michael) because there was this American guy who was visiting Portugal with one mission: Save Miguel.
I had to think for a minute to remember myself of all the Miguel I know and then I realized how difficult it would be to find the one he was searching.
So I put myself forward to help him finding Miguel and if possible also to help saving Miguel.
Free Hugs man out to Save Miguel!
When I first saw the American guy I thought to my self: "I know this guy!". And as soon as he spoke I immediately recognized him - it was Rob Schneider!
Can you believe that!? We talk for a while and he told me he was looking for this guy called Miguel but he did not knew much more about him.
We had some drinks (it was a very hot day) and we talk about some of Rob`s movies and how much I liked them all. In the end we jumped on the adventure of searching for Miguel.
One thing I can assure you - Rob is really a great guy to hangout with, he is funny and most of all he is a very kind human being who is concerned about our future. He really is a Man on a Mission!
We Need To Save Miguel!
Now I know you are all demanding why I did not appeared in the video and the answer it is obvious: I was behind the camera. You know, I am a little shy...
After a while I was starting to demoralize myself because there were no evidences that we were going to find Miguel. But Rob never gave up, not even for a second.
He was really determined to find and help Miguel.
Rob Schneider finds Miguel!
Finally!
I can not explain to all of you the excitement and emotion we experienced the moment we finally found Miguel.
Such a lovely old cork oak tree with so much to give and yet still in danger of being killed. Rob could not control itself and he jump into Miguel`s arms for a big loving hug.
We talk with Miguel and he told us that he was not the only one needing help. I could not believe what I was hearing but after looking to Rob`s face I realized that there was nothing we could not do to help Miguel and his family.
And that was the main reason for me to make this hub and show this story to all of you out there.
LETS` SAVE MIGUEL`S FAMILY!!! THE SOUTHERN PORTUGUESE CORK OAK FOREST NEED TO BE SAVED!!!
I support Miguel! And you, will you support him?
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This type of tree lives between 100 and 300 years and they can be harvested every 9 or 12 years which makes them a renewable and sustainable “fountain” of natural resources. Cork beside being a natural material and environmentally friendly it´s also completely biodegradable and easily recycled.
The cork oak forests (“montados” in Portuguese) also prevent much of the consequences of forest fires due to its thick bark they are protected from fire and heat. This is even more important if we think that cork forests are among the higher biodiversity places in the Mediterranean and Europe.
There are 135 other plant species and 42 bird species (not to talk of insects) which live in those montados and are now also endangered or even critically endangered.
What can we do to help!?
Basically, everyone of us can start helping cork oak (Miguel) by only buying wine with cork stoppers and never buy wine with screw caps or plastic stoppers.
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Cork vs Climate Change
Harvesting cork bark helps preventing climate changes by removing CO2 and preventing the greenhouse effect so much talked about for so many years now. Just in Portugal cork oak trees help offsetting 4.8 million tons of carbon every year and that is not all because they are also big oxygen producers.
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300+ USED Wine Corks 100% Natural Cork
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Plant one cork oak tree right now!
For centuries cork oak trees has been the main native trees of Portugal and now they are being cut down by real estate speculators and WE got to do something against it!
Why not starting by planting a cork oat tree at Save Miguel home page, you will feel better after you done so.
LONG LIVE PORTUGUESE CORK OAKS AKA MIGUEL!
Another good way to help the cause is to spread the word! You can do that by telling your friends about it and sharing this hub with all the people you can (feel free to use the Share it link bellow, thanks).
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Oldest Champagne Corked in Finland
Preserving wine and the importance of bottle cork
Cork has been used to cork up wine bottles for centuries and has an important role in wine conservation.
Recently more than 160 champagne bottles which were under water for almost two centuries were found on Finland`s waters.
Amazingly the wine was in good conditions much thanks to the good quality cork used.
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From the bottom of the sea after almost 200 years!
The world's oldest drinkable champagne will have its corks replaced by new ones to assure it will keep its qualities for longer.
This operation is being prepared with the collaboration of the main Portuguese cork company - Corticeira Amorim.
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 | Amazon Price: $39.00 |
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More about Cork:
The Many Uses Of Cork by darkside
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CommentsLoading...
Thanks Zsuzsy, coming from you that was quite a compliment. You know, this was something I knew a long time ago but only this morning I found Rob´s videos and I immediately start to think about making this hub. Thank you for passing the word, it means a lot to Miguel ;)
i didnt know what reaction to give when i realized you were talking about a tree. but further reading actually made me feel kind of sad and good in an odd way. first time im feeling this way after reading something. thanks for the experience buddy. a really well written top class publish
Hi Ashwin, thanks for commenting. It´s great to know we can raise new and different feelings to others through our writings.
Nice job funride...and it wasfun......good to know about this I had no Idea..funny how we take things for granted isn't it? I will certainly help by buying only cork closed wine bottles and telling my friends..You are a dear...G-Ma :o) hugs (FREE)
Thanks my dear G-Ma. Your help it´s much appreciated and Miguel sends you a big warm HUG. If you may I prefer to give you a big KISS instead. :-»
Smack got it...wow you kiss good..thanks..lol G-Ma :o) hugs & kisses
:blushing: LOL That´s what I call a compliment my sweet darling :)
Its really a noble mission and I'll try to spread the message by linking this hub.
Thank you Premsingh, your help it´s much appreciated ;)
This hub is great. You've totally opened my eyes to another possibility. My wife likes wine as do many of our friends (beer for me, thanks) and I've heard them talk about the transition over time here to the plastic corks and screwtops. Funny thing is, the way the wine lobby (or whoever is behind the transition) has spun it to sound like this: "These cork trees are endangered and therefore we must switch to faux cork and screwtops." They neglect to mention that the reason the real cork is endangered is not some natural phenomenon or unsustainable tree growth, but instead because the trees are being hacked out by men. Pretty typical omission of details, half-truths for profit!
Anyway, great hub, proof that even the most random subjects make for great reading when a hub is written well and assembled as this one is. Nice work, man.
Hi Shadesbreath, thanks for your nice comment. The thing that upsets me the most about this it´s the fact that oak trees are protected here in Portugal and the only way to cut them (besides cutting them illegally) it´s by deliberation from our government whenever they consider that the project for that place it´s of great national strategic importance (aka luxury tourist complex our similar).
So, as you can imagine the problem resides on "big money" influence from real state companies and constructors (which are probably the biggest "mafia" here in Portugal). I´m glad that now you have got logical arguments to argue with those who believe that plastic must be the future of bottle corks.
This is one beautiful way of promoting "Saving Miguel" Funride. I enjoyed reading the hub. We all need to help take care of our earth. Thumbs up for a caring heart! :)
Thank you Michelle, I´m glad you enjoyed it. Don´t forget to spread the word ;)
congrats for this great hub...i thought miguel is a refugee that needs help...but miguel is more than a refugee...but it's not only saving him, but this represents the calling that we should take care of our environment and our natural resources. our world is dying slowly..
Thanks Gwyn, we must keep our fight against those who only think about themselves but never about the environment and all the other living beings who also have rights.
Great initiative,Funride! I promise I'll do my bit.Fighting global warming will become so much more easy when it's led by people instead of organizations and governments.
Thanks for commenting but most of all for helping this cause ;) . That´s the problem with organizations and governments - some times I feel like they don´t represent us. Maybe they are not ran by real people...
I want to save Miguel too, Funride--had no idea until you brought it to my attention that the cork forests did so much for us and were in danger. Down with screw top wine bottles! It's a tough job but I'll do my part:-)
BTW, Lisbon looks beautifull from the video--purple trolley cars??? narrow streets, balconies fountains hmmmmmmm just lovely.
Thanks for your support Robie. The Portuguese cork oak forest thanks everybody´s help ;)
Lisbon still preserves its beauty mainly due to the older neighborhoods which have all those things that everybody loves to watch. Unfortunately the "new" Lisbon has not the charm of the older one but the city grow made this inevitable.
What a great way to promote the use of corks. I had no idea, I thought they used the screw tops to save the trees and the environment. thanks for another perspective funride!
funride,
Such a creative way to get the word out about the importance of the cork forests in Portugal. It is amazing how many people considered the change to plastic a positive one thinking they were helping save the trees. You have given us another perspective to think on. Thanks.
Dear Luise, it´s great to know this hub can help changing the idea that cork products are bad and should be substitute by plastic. In fact cork it´s a great renewal source which can be used as long as we keep this lovely trees alive.
In The Doghouse, thanks for your support. It´s really important to spread the word so that everybody become aware of this issue and willing to help saving cork oak forest.
I met Miguel when I was in Spain, brought a small piece of him home with me. Never have liked the idea of screw tops on wine, just didn't know it was so important. I will do all that I can to help save Miguel, even if it means I wear lampshades and get headaches.
Thx for bringing this to our attention, Funride!
LOL no need for headaches, good wine doesn´t give you hangover :D
Thanks for taking care of Miguel ;)
Wonderful Hub, funride. I didn't know anything about this issue until now. I love the way you built up the suspense about Miguel. I was very excited when I finally discovered he was a tree!
A very strange thing happened yesterday. Out of the blue I remembered a cork board I created on a wall in my apartment when I was in college. It had a smell I loved, and for some reason the smell and the memory were strongly in my head yesterday. And I hadn't thought about that board for years and years. Now, this morning, I find Miguel! Isn't that strange?
Thank you so much for educating us about the plight of Miguel and his family.
Your fan, Sally
Thank you so much for your nice comment, Sally.
What a strange coincidence indeed, you were probably preparing yourself for this hub :D
I have one of those cork boards on my kitchen and I also love the smell. And that´s another great way to help Miguel: buying a brand new cork board ;)
funride! I loved this story and thanks for the education about this guy! and entertaining hub!
You have my support!:)
I´m glad you like it ;)
Thanks for your much appreciated support.
Funride! Once again, you delivered! Wonderful hub, funny and educational! I had no idea about the problem! Thank you for educating me on the cork problem! Save Miguel!!!
Thanks Lilymag, with your help and everybody else´s we will save Miguel and his family!
great Hub! I Dugg it lol on Digg: http://digg.com/world_news/Saving_Miguel
to say the least to share with all my friends
I too will do my part to help save Miguel and his family :o)
Great Hub Funride, sad to see they are cutting down all the natural resources for modernization. In the end humans will be the ones will suffer for this.
Thank you so much pcjunkychick ;-). That was a great help to Miguel`s cause!
Hi Chris, you´re right. It´s sad to watch how things tend to tilt for the money side :-/ but I hope we´ll all help changing things even if just a little ;-)
I don't drink alcohol, but I will pass this on to everyone I know who does.
You don´t have to drink wine to be able to help Miguel LOL. Cork has so many uses that goes from house isolation, clothes, fishing floats, handles for fishing rods, musical instruments, bulletin boards, bottle stoppers and it can even be used in construction mixed with concrete. But spreading the word it´s already a great help and much appreciated. Thanks ;-)
Very entertaining, interesting, and informative hub. Thanks funride! :)
Thanks odd world, I´m glad you like it ;-)
Hi Funride: tudu bem? I am one of those people who bought into the switch from cork to plastic in wine bottles as a "good" thing. I never had any reason to think differently. Thanks for setting me straight. I'll be sure to set others straight at every opportunity. It's just like the rainforest: If we can find sustainable uses for the things that grow there, there is a chance of saving it.
Thanks for a fun an informative hub!
Curta que a vida é curta!
Hi Christoph, I didn´t knew you spoke Portuguese ;)
I´m sure your help to save Miguel will be most efficient and you can also be sure it will be most appreciate.
Você tem razão e é por isso que eu vivo cada dia como se fosse o último! ;)
Yes. Having a reason and things you care about help make everyday vital and full!
Nice hub funride
Os nossos sobreiros bem precisam!
Besides from the ecological point of view, we are also one of the main exporters of cork in the world. Even those reasons are not enough to greedy people that just wants to burn so they can make more money.
Thanks anime_nanet, that´s way we have to keep "fighting" for our rights and of course for Miguel`s rights too, he and his family can´t do it by themselves ;)
I actually considered including this information in my Hub. Thank you for the link to your Hub. This is indeed a problem for the cork forests.
I will link to this in the body of my hub!
Hi Essence, thank you so much for commenting but most important for helping save the cork oak forests ;)
Many thanks for this. Funny and important, but also rather enjoyable reading. Well done and I'll spread the word.
Thanks for your support WineLover.
I love the free hugs video. Pretty cool!
Hi Patricia, thanks for stopping by ;-)
Wow, I never knew they merely harvested the bark for the corks, leaving the tree alive and ready to be harvested again when the bark grows back! I thought corks were killing trees but I am more educated now. I recently quit drinking but when I was I would always drink red wine, mainly cleanskins which always have a screwcap. and nearly all of the low-end labelled wines do too. It's only when they reach about $20 a bottle that you get cork. Screwcaps are definitely not as romantic, too. Thanks a lot not only for enlightening me but also for a funny and entertaining read. :)
Hey Angus, thanks for your comment :)
It´s a nice feeling to know that I have helped you (and perhaps others) to better understand the importance of Portuguese cork oak. Here at Portugal we still have cork in every bottle of wine (no matter its price) and I hope it continues like that. The problem is that screwcaps has been publicize as "ecological" and unfortunately there was not any campaign to educate people around the world (until now), let`s hope this time it will reach everyone ;)
Take care
That really was a fun lens, and what a great character to meet. I bet you had a fantastic time. All in a good cause too - save the tree.
This is a fun lens once I figured it out. Some of us are slower than others, lol. But a great hub as usual.
Hi Tony, thanks for supporting the cause ;-)
LOL, bgamall thanks for making me laugh and for the compliment. I remember writing this hub and thinking about how people would react to it, I´m glad you like it ;-)
Absolutely wonderful story!
I'm impressed - with you and Rob Schnieder!
I think both of you are pretty real!
Keep at it!
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Zsuzsy Bee Level 3 Commenter 3 years ago
Great Hub Funride. I learned a lot from you here. I really didn't know that cork came from an oak tree and mainly Portugal. It always breaks my heart when I hear of real estate taking over more and more land. In our area it's farm land that is being taken over piece by piece. Thanks for sharing I'll be sure to pass the word around about Miguel. Long live Miguel and his habitat.
regards Zsuzsy