Diablo Valley Roots & Shoots

We had a great hike a couple weeks ago with the newly-forming Diablo Valley Roots & Shoots. This maze photo was taken on the event in Briones Regional Park.

What is Roots & Shoots?

Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute’s international environmental and humanitarian program for youth of all ages. It is a fun and exciting way for young people to learn about problems and issues in their local communities and then discover ways to make the world a better place. All projects are focused on improving the lives of people, animals and the environment. Kids who belong to Roots & Shoots groups have the opportunity to network with R&S members from around the world to learn about other cultures and gain a deeper understanding of the global impact of their actions.

Here is a list of some upcoming events:

July 25 – (appreciating nature) Tour John Muir house and grounds in Martinez, time to be announced (early in the day), small entrance fee for adults and children over 15.

July or Aug – (environmental care) Pacific Rim Recycle facility tour – Benicia. There may be a cost, besides the bridge fee.

Aug  23 – (cultural experience) Ohlone Village site open house – Coyote Hills, Fremont, 10am, includes 1/2 mile hike one way to 2,000 yr old village where cultural demonstrations will be shared, bring lunch.

Sept 19 – (environmental care) Coastal Clean-Up, not an official meeting, time and place to be announced.

Sept 20 – (celebrate and promote peace) ‘Roots and Shoots Day of Peace‘ (a global event) family picnic, Civic Park, Walnut Creek, time to be announced (early in the day).

If you would like to learn more, please email: DiabloValleyRandS@hotmail.com. Membership is free and open to local children of all ages but primarily focuses on those in elementary school.

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Blooming Soon: Trudy the Giant Corpse Flower

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting “Trudy the Corpse Flower” at the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. Trudy is a member of the Voodoo Lily family (no joke!) and is the largest flowering structure in the plant world. Trudy is 16 years old and currently stands almost 6 feet tall. Her family originates from Sumatra, Indonesia and she first bloomed in the garden at age 12. When she blooms her leaves will open up into one dark red giant flower. Trudy will then warm herself up to human body temperature to create a foul smell to attract beetle pollinators. If pollinated (she will be hand pollinated at the garden) she will then bear beautiful red fruit.

Trudy can be viewed daily and is expected to bloom as early as Father’s Day, June 21st. How appropriate!

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Bay Area Cohousing: It Takes a Village

Cohousing is a type of collaborative housing in which the community is planned, owned and managed by the residents. Cohousing residents usually have their own private house or apartment, but then have access to generous shared areas which creates a village like atmosphere. Cohousing fosters community, sharing, green, and economical living.

In Contra Costa County there is a community known as Pleasant Hill Cohousing. Once in awhile there will be a unit for sale, rent or available for house-sitting. Pleasant Hill Cohousing offers free monthly tours of their community; see their website for more information. Currently there is a unit for sale which is a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath townhome priced at $480,000  plus $9,000 for the carport (separate parcel), total $489,000. If interested contact Joanne Brown: joanne@joannebrown.com.

A new 23-24 unit cohousing community in Berkeley is being formed. 1-2 bedroom flats will be close to everything. For more information visit: East Bay Cohousing (EBCOHO)

There is a Tour de East Bay Cohousing event on Sunday, June 14^th from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Cost: $35-45. Bicycle to and explore 6 cohousing locations in the Berkeley/Oakland area.

Interested in cohousing?  Search the US Directory of Cohousing for a location near you.

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Brentwood Bicycle Farm Tour

Brentwood Farm Tour via Bicycle

June 21, 2009, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.  $30 per adult, $15 per child.

A 15 mile tour by bicycle through farm country in Brentwood.  Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch at Frog Hollow Farms (famous for it’s organic peaches) and visit Shelly’s Garden (known for it’s culinary herbs). Enjoy picking  some corn along the way, plus snacks and water are provided. You must bring your own bicycle and helmet. Click here to purchase tickets.

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Upcoming Festivals & Events

Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival

Saturday & Sunday, June 6th and 7th, Heather Farm, Walnut Creek. Wine and beer, distinctive art, hand-made crafts, children’s area, entertainment and more.

Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market

Saturday, June 6th, Shadelands, Walnut Creek. Opening day of the new Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market. Ribbon cutting ceremony at 9am along with local Shadowbrook Winery releasing it’s new wines. Kids crafts, music and of course lots of fresh local produce!

San Leandro Cherry Festival

Saturday, June 6th, downtown San Leandro. 100th anniversary of the San Leandro Cherry Festival which started in 1909! Farmers market, cherry pie bake-off, live music, arts and entertainment, specialty foods, activities for children and more.

Temescal Street Fair

Sunday, June 7th, Telegraph Ave. from 47th to 51st, Oakland. Eco activities, music, global food and more.

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Exploring Middle Harbor

One of the newest East Bay Regional Parks is Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland. It’s a small green space sandwiched between one of the busiest container ports in the nation. It offers more than 3 miles of trails, lots of grass and picnic areas, a children’s play structure, a fishing pier, and two observation platforms; one indoors and one out. Here you can see the famous four Hanjin cranes from China up-close that barely made it under the Bay Bridge in the year 2000.

Next month Middle Harbor will host a FREE Eco-fair for families on June 6^th.

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Marin County Fair: Cool Green Fun

The Marin County Fair is my favorite fair which is held every 4^th of July weekend. This year marks the 64^th anniversary of the fair, and it goes from Wednesday, July 1st through Sunday, July 5^th. It’s held at the Marin Civic Center which is located on a large lagoon in San Rafael. Last year they started a “green” theme which I’m happy to see they’ve continued with this year. Some of my favorite memories from the fair include the root beer floats made with Clover ice cream, unlimited carnival rides (most are free with fair admission), fireworks and music shows (We saw Rick Springfield a couple years ago ;))

Ship made from Starbucks garbage

 

Ferris Wheel made from recyled Starbucks straws

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go Green quilt with hybrid car design

 

 

 

Ferris wheel painting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting ready to watch fireworks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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