News
TCEC members receive the Eco-Logic Newsletter, which is published monthly except for July/August and November/December issues. Each issue is full of local environmental news, events and activities, and ways you can get involved in environmental issues. Review a sample (past) issue.
Online, we feature the Closer Look column, written for our newsletter by TCEC Publications Chairperson, Donna Olsen.
Closer Look — September 2018
Lemonade Booth is a Winner; Lemonade Brigade Fantastic
TCEC did it again. Good weather, great volunteers and a good location equaled a good year for the ecology center. We cleared approximately $4500, a little less than last year, but excellent nevertheless.
Tom Browne and Caroline Harris need special recognition: Tom for the setup and care of the equipment plus all the paper work that goes with the booth. Caroline for rounding up so many excellent volunteers.
Here is the “Lemonade Brigade”: Tom Blalock, Ruth Poole, Mellicent Fraticelli, Lalita Bendale, Richard Godfrey, David Keim, Adrienne Stephens, Paul Nissler, Virginia Cummins, Elizabeth Ames, Kathleen Wade, Allison Millar-Barlow, Duane Millar-Barlow, Steve Evans (Tom’s hard working assistant), Sally Mills, McGuire Family (Jessie, James, Claire & John), Maria Caluag, Mavis Brown, Ruel Brown, Dee Miner, Patricia Schaffarczk, Tom Coroneos, Phil Stob, Janis Stob, Beth Rasler, Kyoko Comerford, Carolyn Hedgecock, Shreya Ramachandran, Ann Morrison, Dan O’Donnell, Stuart Guedon, Donna Olsen and Gus Morrison (Lemonade Chair Emeritus). Thank you all.
Some lemonade statistics from Caroline: 13 batches evenly split over the two days, 325 gallons of lemonade, 2300+ cups sold, 1000 lbs of ice, 587 stainless steel straws sold, $7,000+ cash taken in, net gain about $4500. Awesome numbers! Source: Caroline, Gus, Donna and Janis
Treasurer Changeover ….Thank you John! Welcome Abhi Indap
Believe it or not, John Landers is retiring from the TCEC Board after 40 years of volunteering as vice-chair, treasurer, recycling chair, and co-chair of the Board. Words can’t describe how grateful we all are for John’s service. He is one of a kind….kind, funny, knowledgeable, hardworking and a friend worth having.
And welcome to Abhi Indap! We met Abhi when his daughter, Shreeya applied for an Eco-Grant last year. Her project…to We thank Abhi for volunteering for treasurer and look forward to working with him. Welcome aboard!
Still Looking For a Office Volunteer
Many thanks to Adrienne Stevens for volunteering at the office for all these years and to Jean Holmes for filling in BUT we are still looking for a permanent volunteer for the third Thursday of each month. The hours are Bring a book or other activity. Contact me at tcecdonna@juno.com.
FIXITCLINIC on Sept. 29
There will be a Fixit Clinic Saturday, September 29, 1pm to 4pm
Calling all handywomen and handymen and handy kids, wannabe and junior handypersons, tinkerers and sewers! Help your neighbors troubleshoot and fix their broken stuff: volunteer to be a Fixit Coach at our next Fixit Clinic at the Fremont Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont.
Participants must bring in their broken item with all parts necessary to assemble it into working condition, as well as a clear explanation of what’s wrong with the item and what they’ve tried already. They may also bring along helpful tools such as sewing supplies and hand tools like pliers, hammers, and screwdrivers. Sigh up: https://goo.gl/kwVNlv.
What is a Fixit Clinic? Fixit Clinic is all-ages, do-it-together, hands-on, STEM-oriented, fix-n-learn, community-based, discovery, disassembly, and repair; people bring their broken, non-functioning things — electronics, appliances, computers, toys, bicycles, sewing machines, clothes, etc.– for assessment, disassembly, and — hopefully — repair.
Register at http://goo.gl/qTzh9J. For more information go to http://fixitclinic.blogspot.com.
TCEC Sponsors AC Watershed Confluence Conference, October 17
The ecology center has signed on as a sponsor of the Conference at the Brook Level. This means we will have a table there, the opportunity to share information, plus lots of publicity. The event will feature experts in water issues in Alameda County, and very knowledgeable speakers, including Alameda Creek Alliance’s Jeff Miller.
It is hosted by Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and will take place on Thursday, October 17 from 9am to 4pm. It will be held at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland with a networking event to follow. The entrance fee is $20. Through the theme: Sharing Ideas, Shaping the Future, the Conference will explore the history management, science, and collaborations that are shaping the Alameda County watersheds. For more details about the event including speakers, agenda items, and more, visit http://acrcd.org/WatershedConfluence.aspx.
Details: The ACWCC is a county-wide conference designed to provide a forum for local Community groups, public and private sector mangers, thought leaders, educators and other community member to meet, network, share innovative ideas and inspire new partnerships in watershed management in Alameda County.
Mexico’s Ban Advances Broader Fight to End Fracking in North America
Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking, has become synonymous with the contamination of the air, land and water, and for this reason, communities throughout the continent have persistently resisted, fighting by every means possible to stop the practice.
But opponents of fracking recently had cause to celebrate. On August 1, 2018, Mexican President-Elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that under his government the nonconventional extraction method would no longer be used, marking a major step in the fight to end fracking in North America. Although other jurisdictions have moved to ban fracking, the announcement by the Mexican president-elect would mark the largest jurisdiction yet to eliminate the practice. Source: Sierra Club
Zinke Visits Hetch Hetchy…
On July 23, 2018, Restore Hetch Hetchy Executive Director Spreck Rosenkranz along with four members of its Executive Commitee, met with Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. They asked him to consider returning Hetch Hetchy to Yosemite National Park and the American people. After the meeting, Secretary Zinke posted the following on Twitter: “Good meeting with Restore Hetch Hetchy. Taking a fresh look at different opportunities and options to restore public access and recreation to the valley.” The meeting lasted 30-40 minutes. According to those present, Mr. Zinke was friendly and informal. He listened well and asked good questions. Source: Restore Hetch Hetchy