Update 9-4-2007
Big thanks to more than a dozen volunteers who completed erosion-control work on Cerrito Creek at the foot of Albany Hill August 25, and to the Tuesday Weed Warriors for help on many sites, from Tilden to the Bay!
HELP WATER QUALITY AT SOLANO STROLL SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER MEETINGS, EVENTS:
Sept. 5 & 6 Reviewing creek projects: On Wednesday, Sept. 5, the El Cerrito Design Review Board will consider the proposed condominium project in the southeast corner of El Cerrito Plaza parking lot, a project that includes daylighting of the adjacent portion of the creek. The meeting is at City Hall Conference Room A (in temporary location one block north of old location on San Pablo). On Thursday, Sept. 6, at 7 pm at North Berkeley Senior Center, the Berkeley Public Works Commission considers two proposed Codornices Creek projects - remedial work on a slide at Congregation Beth El, east of Oxford Street, and the Urban Creeks Council's proposed restoration of the steep banks adjacent to St. Mary's High School, below Albina.
Sept. 10 F5C board meeting: All are welcome to attend the Friends of Five Creeks board meeting, 7 pm Mon., Sept. 10, at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. We will be planning our fall scope of work.
Sept. 11 Alameda Watershed Forum: The Alameda County Watershed Forum meets 10 am to noon Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the Oakland Museum cafe, 10th and Oak Sts. (refreshments and networking from 9:30 am). The museum is closed; ring bell at 10th St. entrance (near Lake Merritt BART). The agenda includes updates on group activities and planning for a May or June conference.
Sept. 11 UC talk on Delta crisis: From 5:30 - 7 pm Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Rm 112 Wurster Hall near Bancroft and College, on the UC Berkeley campus, John Cain, Director of Restoration Programs of the Natural Heritage Institute speaks on "Confluence, Confusion, or Catastrophe: Prospects for Ending the Delta Stalemate." Fragile levees, building of homes below sea level, climate change, pollution, diversions, and pumping have created a maelstrom of crises from ecosystem collapse to the threat of a Katrina-like disaster. The talk describes new and "recycled" proposals and the challenges of breaking the stalemate that has block action for a generation. The talk is part of the Water Resources Center Archives' California Colloquium on Water. Information at http://lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/ccow.html
Sept. 15 Coastal Cleanup: For our September work party, we'll join in the Sept. 15 statewide coastal cleanup with a special project. Meet at the "big bird" sculpture at the west end of Buchanan Street at 9:30 AM to join other F5C'ers removing litter on the north side of the Albany Bulb. You'll get to enjoy the wonderful and ever-changing art as well as fall migrant waterbirds and maybe some late blackberries.
Sept. 16 Ivy Re-Leaf at Mortar Rock Park: On Sunday, Sept. 16, pitch in on a new effort to remove smothering ivy from North Berkeley's beautiful rock parks, replacing it with drought-tolerant natives. Meet at 10 am at Mortar Rock Park, Indian Rock Blvd. just east of the north end of Oxford St., opposite S. end of San Diego Rd. (one block above Indian Rock Park).
Sept. 19 forum on Bay Health: F5C will have a role at "Troubled Waters: A Forum on the Health of San Francisco Bay," sponsored by Save the Bay and Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, 6:30 - 9 pm Wed., Sept. 19, at Rosa Parks Elementary School, 910 Allston Way, Berkeley. The focus is on the serious challenges facing the Bay environment and how you can help with political and hands-on efforts.
Sept. 22 Ruth Meniketti Memorial: A memorial for our beloved longtime vice-president, Ruth Meniketti, will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday, Sept. 22, at Albany City Hall. All are welcome to honor this longtime Albany activist, who died June 7 after being struck by a pick-up truck less than a block from her home.
Sept. 23 fundraiser at Aquatic Park: Friends of Five Creeks is one of about two dozen citizens groups under the fiscal "umbrella" of nonprofit Berkeley Partners for Parks. BPFP supplies basics like bookkeeping and liability insurance, and also helps new activist groups get started. On Sunday, Sept. 23, from 3 to 5 pm, a BPFP fundraiser offers the chance to enjoy food, drink, music, and camaraderie by the Aquatic Park Lagoon, at the EGRET Center/clubhouse. Information and directions at www.bpfp.org; click on "events" and "calendar."
AND FOR OCTOBER...
Bay Nature Publisher Speaks: At our F5C meeting Monday, October 1, David Loeb, publisher of Bay Nature, will speak on the trials and joys of creating and sustaining this beautiful, informative, and fascinating magazine.
Art-Making on Cerrito Creek: On Saturday, Oct. 13, environmental artist Zach Pine will join us in Celebrating Cerrito Creek through Art, making ephemeral art with natural materials at restored Cerrito Creek at El Cerrito Plaza (south edge of the Plaza parking lot, near the Saturday Farmers' Market). Photos from the three sessions of art Zach led on Codornices Creek have been widely displayed. Don't miss this experience!
GPS Survey of Cerrito Canyon: On Saturday, Oct. 27, F5C volunteers will do a GPS survey of part of the deep canyon of Cerrito Creek on the Berkeley-Kensington border, recording detailed information as part of a Contra Costa County program. If you're interested in helping out, contact F5C board member Alfredo Chingcuanco, aoc272@yahoo.com.
Hope to see you soon!
Join us 10 am - 6 pm this Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Solano Stroll - the theme is "Going Green - It's Easy." Pick up information on how you can help water and watersheds at our booth at the head of Solano, in front of Washington Mutual Bank, opposite the Oaks Theater. At the Save the Bay/EB MUD booth nearby, drop off unused medicines for proper disposal, or bring a mercury thermometer enclosed in two zip-lock plastic bags, and get a free digital thermometer in exchange! Drop off your used batteries at the City of Albany booth down the street. It all helps water quality!
September starts a busy fall schedule:
We have an exciting October planned! Save these dates: