Greeneroo

On Saturday a big group of us went help enhance the transition zones in the tidal areas near the Oakland airport. Save the Bay was our leader and inspiration, we had a short talk about the importance of reclaiming these marshlands and putting species of plants in this transition zone that would thrive and help replair the soil. Then we got to it…. PLANTED OVER 600 saplings. Wow. It felt good to see all the flag markers and the compost ringing each plant. The weather cooperated and we all had a BLAST!

Their NEXT event is Jan 6, what a great way to start 2010!

Native Planting Nursery Workday Wednesday (Oakland)
Wednesday, January 6
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Free

Words…. they can get people thinking! A carefully crafted word can make all the difference. If you agree, check out this tweet: Excellent PDF for entrepreneurs: What Matters Now by Seth Godin. http://bit.ly/4Hz8XK

And for those of you on the SF Peninsula, Stanford University hosts an amazing, thought provoking forum called “What Matters to Me“. Check it out. The Office of Religious Life puts this series on and several others. It has brought some of the most amazing speakers to small groups for discussion and contemplation. It is an amazing resource.

THIS SATURDAY!! California Fly Shop (an amazing place with a great staff!) is hosting a Fly Tying event. Did you get a Fly Tying kit and can’t figure out how to make a Wolly Bugger? Or maybe you are tying Quill Wing Flies every Friday… no matter, come join the Fun!!

There will be a Kid’s Tying Table, a Raffle and a FREE LUNCH! (I bet you thought there was no such thing!)

Idylwilde Signature Fly Tyers will be on hand:

• Hogan Brown
• Kevin Price
• Jason Harwick
• Mikey Weir
  And a gift to you, for every $50 you spend you get a $5 gift card. This is a Happy Holiday treat.

For more info, you can contact them
Phone: 800.470.0002 / 650.508.0727
EMail: info@californiaflyshop.com
Address: 985 Industrial Road, Suite 106
San Carlos, CA 94070
p.s. They have warm clothes, BRRR, it has been so cold I bought a Patagonia sweater there last week. It is so nice.

I think the best gift of all this year is … getting together with friends. Rather than gift things, how about an occasion. A group of us met for Holiday Cheer – Pizza, Wine and a movie shown at home. It was wonderful to discuss recipes, places to go, holiday plans, kids, and catch up. It was a great celebration! This is my number 1 choice. Here are a few more:
#2) Stick to useful gifts – maybe you have never given mittens, CFLs, mulled cider mix and draft catching door guards… but times they are a changing! These thoughtful gifts keep the recipient warm and happy and energy smart!
#3) Share your favorite book, from your collection and put a note in it on WHY you think the recipient will enjoy it – this is a great conversation starter!
4) Potlucks are my favorite gift from the heart, but you can do something simpler… how about homemade cookies, flavored vinegar (add garlic, or rosemary) in a fancy stop topped bottle, make a huge batch of granola and share bags of it or simply write down a favorite family recipe on a recipe card and give it to a friend (you can offer to make it with them as well).
5) Start a tradition: Caroling, Ugly Christmas Sweater cocktail party, White elephant exchange, Puzzle night, or decorate the tree gathering. There are dozens of happy occasions to celebrate.

One day you’ll see your kids repeating these traditions and you’ll feel great all over again. It doesn’t take a pile of money to give from the heart.