Greeneroo

Celebrate the very best in Bluegrass, it’s a day of fun and music the whole family can enjoy!

Back and better than ever, this year’s festival includes performances by Marley’s Ghost, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, The Kathy Kallick Band, The Tuttles with AJ Lee, and Arann Harris & the Farm Band. The event will also offer a ton of family-friendly activities like pony rides, face painting and tours of the historic Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate.

LOCATION: 2960 Peralta Oaks Court  Oakland, CA  US 94605

Whether you’re 55, 15 or 5, you’ll be tapping your toes, bobbing your head and having a good ol’ time with friends, family and neighbors.

Proceeds from the event sponsor the Greenbelt Alliance, San Francisco Bay Area’s advocate of open spaces and vibrant places for 50 years. So pack up your car, invite everyone you know and get ready to party down with a Bluegrass beat.

Recycling, respect for the environment, good land use policies, History, Tradition? Well its all here is this news item:
The owner of Palo Alto’s oldest home, Juana Briones House, has begun deconstructing the 166-year-old structure after 13 years of lawsuits that delayed its removal.

The 1844-1845 house, which was built by Palo Alto pioneer Juana Briones, contained remnants of a rare form of adobe architecture, of which there is only one other example in the state, according to architectural historians.

Juana Briones de Miranda was part of the California population of Spanish, Mexican and Native-American descent.

She was also a humanitarian, a healer, and the daughter of members of the historic De Anza expedition into California in 1776. She became a prominent Palo Alto rancher, according to the Juana Briones Heritage Association.

The property at 4155 Old Adobe Road in the Palo Alto hills also contained a rock wall built by Native Americans that has also been taken down, Kent Mitchell, attorney for property owners Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer, said Wednesday morning (May 25).

Nulman, Welczer and the City of Palo Alto wrote conditions into the permit after a first lawsuit with the city that allows preservationists and historians to salvage certain historical elements, including the rock wall.

In 1997, the Nulmans wanted to remove newer wings a previous owner added to the house but the city denied their request, Mitchell said. They applied for a demolition permit and prevailed after a nine-year battle when the city denied their application.

In 2007, Friends of the Juana Briones House sued and won a stay against the demolition, but on appeal, the Nulmans prevailed. The California Supreme Court refused to hear the case, Mitchell said. The city reinstated the demolition permit on Wednesday.

Woodside-based Reusable Lumber, which specializes in historical sites, began work on Friday.

Clark Akatiff, a member of Friends of the Juana Briones House, said the group made a careful record of the home during a one-month window some years ago when they were allowed on the property.

He is meeting with city officials and preservationists Wednesday afternoon to discuss where to store the rock wall and a plaque.

Akatiff said the historic wall cribbing — a slat-style architecture into which adobe or dirt was poured to make walls — and other parts of the home might be made available to the group as the building is deconstructed. He said Mitchell is working on a potential agreement.

Akatiff said he has accepted the court’s judgment, which comes after two lawsuits and appeals.

“It feels like there is some sense of cooperation after such a long and arduous lack of cooperation. This was a legal procedure and we fought it long and hard,” he said.

“It is interesting to note, in passage, that in both court cases the initial decision was always in favor of preservation, only to have the decision reversed by some opaque reasoning and costly litigation. I guess it’s legal, but it does lead to some bad decisions. The decision to allow the demolition of La Casa de Juana Briones is surely such a decision,” he said.

Two great women in Palo Alto are to be memorialized: Juana Briones and Esther Clark, who started the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, he said. Akatiff said perhaps the Briones plaque and the rock wall could be used to create a memorial to both women at adjacent Esther Clark Park.

Part of the property is under a life estate that was willed to Thomas Hunt by the previous owners, Mitchell said.

Hunt does not currently live on the property, but he has control over a small house. Upon his death, the land and home would revert back to the owners, he said.

Nulman and Welczer could not be reached for comment on whether they plan to build on the property.

But Mitchell said, “The answer is clearly no. They built another house. I’ve never heard them talk about it. They are just going day by day. I don’t think there is any clear plan.”

Berkeley, CA—In the next 40 years, California’s population is expected to surge from 37 million to 55 million and the demand for energy is expected to double. Given those daunting numbers, can California really reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, as required by an executive order? Scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory who co-wrote a new report on California’s energy future are optimistic that the target can be achieved, though not without bold policy and behavioral changes as well as some scientific innovation.

The report, titled “California’s Energy Future­­—The View to 2050,” ­draws a series of energy system “portraits” showing how California can meet its ambitious emissions targets using a combination of measures and energy sources that may include electrification, enhanced efficiency, nuclear energy, renewable energy sources, grid modernization, and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

COMPLETE ARTICLE:
Article printed from Berkeley Lab News Center: http://newscenter.lbl.gov

URL to article: http://newscenter.lbl.gov/news-releases/2011/05/24/aggressive-efficiency-and-electrification-needed-to-cut-california-emissions/

I’m going hiking at HV tomorrow. I am really looking forward to this, it has been a long time. Soon this magic place will start its summer programs and help kids learn to love nature, my son went when he was a youngster. It is a great program, and I’d suggest it to any parent looking for summer school.
Peter sent me info on the program / field trips, here it is:

Farm & Wilderness Exploration
This program’s curriculum is designed for 2nd-6th grades and starts with a two-hour classroom orientation by Hidden Villa naturalists a week before the field trip. Using a slide show, music, role-plays, and hands-on teaching stations, the concepts and attitudes to be experienced at Hidden Villa are presented to the children.
During their field trip at Hidden Villa, the children learn the importance of the farm and wilderness to our urban environment. They may take leftover lunches to the compost pile, compost to the garden, and garden plants to the animals who will turn them into wool sweaters, milk, eggs, or hairbrushes. Following Adobe Creek up into the wilderness, they explore a variety of plant communities, learn about food webs, predator/prey relationships, animal adaptations, and stewardship of the land.
These field trips last approximately 5 hours, from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Classes are divided into small groups, led by our trained docents. Maximum capacity is 60 children. This trip can be combined with our Overnight and Farm Chore Program

There is a special yearly event, if you are curious about this special place. Duveneck Days in mid-may, this year it was May 21.

Earth Fever, a book about social, personal and spiritual dimensions of climate change—released by Cosimo Books, a New York-based independent publisher—receives prestigious award for “Environment and Green Values”

Nautilus Book Awards, a leading book awards organization for cutting-edge books, announced that Earth Fever, Living Consciously With Climate Change, by Canadian Judy McAllister and Dutchmen Erik van Praag and Jan Paul van Soest, has been awarded the 2011 Nautilus Silver Award in the “environment and green values” category.

Cosimo Books Publisher Alexander Dake said: “We are proud that Earth Fever and its authors are awarded this prize. When we released this book, we felt strongly about its importance for the ongoing dialogue on climate change. It is an honor for our authors to join the ranks of previous winners of this award.”

Earth Fever uniquely combines the current state of climate science with social, personal and spiritual aspects of dealing with climate change. The authors use their vast experience with sustainability, holistic education and transformational leadership to describe the change of consciousness and the community environment that is needed to tackle the global problem of climate change and its effects. This book is a call to action for all global citizens, and includes an appeal to the governments and leaders of the world to take personal responsibility to address climate change. Earth Fever will be presented at the upcoming Book Expo America, the premier North American publishing event, May 24 –May 26 in the Javits Center in New York (visit the Nautilus booth 2037).

Earth Fever has received positive feedback and wide praise, including:

“A timely and highly original approach to climate change.”
-Hazel Henderson, author of Ethical Markets

“Links a crisp and clear explanation of the climate problem to a spiritual quest for solutions … Earth Fever is something special … Read it and subsequently do something.”
-Pierre de Winter, Platform for Managers and Professionals

“Earth Fever is a fascinating read that asks thought-provoking questions and enlightens the reader about changes that can be made now and in the future.”
-Todd Rutherford, the Publishing Guru

ABOUT NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS
THE NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS go to titles in multiple categories, including Nature, Conscious Business, Conscious Media, Green Values, Healthy Eating, and Personal Growth. With its mission to “change the world one book at a time,” the Nautilus Book Awards recognize books that seek conscious living and positive social change. Previous winning authors include Deepak Chopra, Matthew Fox, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Caroline Myss, Jean Houston, Joel Olsteen, Eckhart Tolle, Andrew Weill, Marianne Williamson, Gary Zukav, and many more. For more information visit: www.nautilusbookawards.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
JUDY McCALLISTER was with the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland– an eco-village and international center for holistic education–for over twenty years where she served as a Trustee and, then, as its managing director. Ms. McAllister is currently a faculty member of The Edge: International School for Leadership and Spirituality in the Netherlands.

ERIK VAN PRAAG is a psychologist, a business consultant and the dean of The Edge: International School for Leadership and Spirituality. He has written numerous articles and books, including: Spiritual Leadership, Wisdom for Work, Wisdom for Life. JAN PAUL VAN SOEST is a sustainability consultant in the Netherlands. He has served as board member at World Wildlife Fund Netherlands and director for the Centre for Energy Conservation and Clean Technology. In addition to his writings on sustainability, he recently co-founded Carbon Stars, which helps develop and finance innovative green ventures.

EARTH FEVER: Living Consciously With Climate Change
with a Foreword by Hazel Henderson
Cosimo Books, May 2010
Environmental Science/ Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN 978-1-61640-076-7
Paperback, 252 pages, $18.95 / £13.99

ABOUT COSIMO BOOKS
Cosimo Books, based in New York, is an imprint of Cosimo, Inc., a specialty publisher of books and publications that inspire, inform and engage readers. Cosimo’s mission is to offer unique books to niche audiences around the world.

Always available at online bookstores. Visit www.cosimobooks.com

BE INSPIRED, BE INFORMED
Contact: info@cosimobooks.com
Ph: (212) 989-3616
Fax: (212) 989-3662

Hi All..

This is an update of what has been taking place..

1. We took a trip to Washington DC.. We did some personal recon of the situation in Congress.. And here is the plan we formulated.. Here are the names of the Representatives in the House Ways and Means Committee.. These are basically the Reps who hold the keys to unlocking the Veteran Employment Tax Credit.. This Credit will give employers tax breaks for hiring Vets.. This is a major bill that needs to pass..

As Veterans we need to pass the word and get other Veterans involved.. It’s as simple as sending these guys an email.. Especially if you are a Veteran who lives in their districts.. All you need to do is send them a short email that says your name.. Where you live in their district.. And the phrase “vote yes on the Veteran Employment Tax Credit Bills”..

It’s important for all Veterans to get involved in this.. If you have to forward this email to your buddies go ahead.. For non Veterans this is important for your friends, family members, and loved one’s who are Veterans now or who may be getting out of the service and becoming Veterans.. Please help out in this mission.. Here are the names below.

Dave Camp, MI, Chairman
Wally Herger, CA
Sam Johnson, TX
Kevin Brady, TX
Paul Ryan, WI
Devin Nunes, CA
Pat Tiberi, OH
Geoff Davis, KY
Dave G. Reichert, WA
Charles W. Boustany Jr., LA
Peter J. Roskam, IL
Jim Gerlach, PA
Tom Price, GA
Vern Buchanan, FL
Adrian Smith, NE
Aaron Schock, IL
Lynn Jenkins, KS
Erik Paulsen, MN
Kenny Marchant, TX
Rick Berg, ND
Diane Black, TN
Sander Levin, MI Ranking Member
Charles B. Rangel, NY*
Fortney Pete Stark, CA
Jim McDermott, WA
John Lewis, GA
Richard E. Neal, MA
Xavier Becerra, CA
Lloyd Doggett, TX
Mike Thompson, CA
John B. Larson, CT
Earl Blumenauer, OR
Ron Kind, WI
Bill Pascrell Jr., NJ
Shelley Berkley, NV
Joseph Crowley, NY

2. I have been waiting for my Web Site to get set up.. Joint Force Veterans.. This is the site that I will switch to to handle all of my communication.. The site is still under construction but it is www.jfvets.org.. Expect to receive email from me with this server..

3. Updates on the Electric Car Program..

- Skyline and Tesla are working on developing a training curriculum as we speak.. The new class is scheduled to open Fall of 2012.. It will be open to all students who enroll at Skyline.. This class will train in the requirements that Tesla is looking for..

- In the mean time.. Tesla is still getting back to me on the names of the Veterans they have picked to hire.. I will contact those Veterans and meet with you guys prior to a private awards ceremony which will be held at Tesla’s factory in Fremont.. After those Veterans have cleared probation we will have an official award ceremony at the War Memorial Building with the “new hires”.. At that same ceremony we will also have another hiring event.. Tesla will be able to interview as many Veterans as possible that day..

- Some of the items we discussed with Tesla were.. Creating work shifts around Veteran students so that Vets can still go to school.. Working for Tesla will also provide Veterans with 4 units per semester.. So that Veterans can take 8 units of class and use the work at Tesla to fulfill the 12 unit requirement for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.. So yeah.. Tesla ROCKS..!!! Gotta love these guys..

- We still have training institutes that we are evaluating at the moment for training Veterans now.. So far the tuition money is secured.. The money for laptops is secured.. We are still working on Stipend money.. If you are a donor who pledged money for the program.. Now is the time to contact me in regards to the Stipend..

- The training program that we have scheduled in June.. So far appears to be on track to start up on the 3rd Monday.. If problems arise then August at the latest.. This program will provide skills that Tesla is looking for but we are still setting up a program that can put graduates into Tesla.. The plan is to have the graduates also complete the train the trainer programs and if not work for Tesla work for Skyline as instructors..

- I have been so busy working on Tesla and recently I have been so wrapped up in my Presentation and Research for Stanford University that I have been neglecting the Car Program momentarily.. Now that I am finished with my Stanford Presentation and have updated my journals on my research.. I can focus on the car program once again..

- So now I can focus on Nissan.. Nissan is very interested in helping Veterans now.. In fact they are very interested in Veterans who have Motor Transport backgrounds who go through the course that we are pushing for in June.. So I will keep you updated on that progress..

4. Some by the way announcements.. EDD and Arnell Junio just awarded me with a plaque and gift card for my work with Tesla.. EDD is doing some wonderful things for Veterans and I am happy to be working with them..

- Swords to Plowshares is also stepping up and getting involved with the program and they are providing much needed support.. They are such an awesome organization..

- Assembly Member Jerry Hill has invited me to Sacramento to receive the Veteran of the Year award in June.. He even took the time to call me personally.. I’ve never met him.. But.. I have always heard great things about him.. And I can see why he is so highly talked about by the people who have met him..

- While in DC I made some powerful connections with some very high powered groups and high powered Veterans.. So they are now being introduced into the operation to take part in the battle.. So be prepared for some serious Shock and Awe in the future..

Thanks for you time and if you have any questions feel free to write me back.. I may have left out a lot of things.. So just remind me..

Sincerely,
Jarom Vahai  email: jlvahai2@aol.com
Member Veteran Advisory Committee Congress Woman Speier
President Skyline Veterans Alliance
Member Veterans Bay Area Alliance
Marine Corps League Education Liason
Member AMVETS
USMC Sgt. RET

TOUR of the WATSONVILLE WETLANDS

Date: FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2011

Time: 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.

Tour Guide: Bob Culbertson – past Board president

********

Meeting place: Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center

Link to directions and details:

http://www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org/wetlands_alive.htm

Carpooling: to be arranged by attendees – a list will be sent out

RSVP: cindyadenny@yahoo.com or pmatejcek831@gmail.com

********

LUNCH: The Haute Enchilada in Moss Landing

Link for lunch: http://www.hauteenchilada.com/cafe.html

*********

Come and learn about the recent fish kill from toxic and why

this is important to all wetlands!

See related story on News tab at http://lpwetlands.yolasite.com/news.php

The idea is that each dish is created with care and the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves. The name of each dish is something fun and inspiring too:

• I AM THANKFUL COCONUT CURRY SOUP -with avocado, tomato, cucumber, shiitake mushrooms and cilantro $6.50/ $9
• I AM FULFILLED LARGE CAFE SALAD – mixed greens and all the good stuff with almonds $13
• I AM ABUNDANT -sampler plate of appetizers $16
• I AM WISE – quesadila plate with two handmade corn tortillas,cheeses, guac, salsa, and mexican coleslaw $12
• many other choices- grain bowls, juices, breakfast, beer/wine

When it is served to you the name of the dish is turned around, so your server says, YOU ARE WISE. This is a sweet, small, welcoming place. It was so much fun to go, the food and smells were fantastic. There are full descriptions and detailed labeling for meals. Parking was very difficult near the SF cafe For more details, check www.cafegratitude.com

415-824-4652

2400 Harrison St, SF/ 1730 Shattuck Ave Berkeley / 2200 Fourth St San Rafael and others

Why is this posted? Because making food at home is time-consuming and this is a good tip. And even more important — eating fast food is and an environmental and nutritional disaster!! This is really great, I am going to try it the next time I want mashed potatoes or potato salad!
If you take the time to watch this, you will not only be glad you did, but you will forward this to all your daughters, sisters, moms, etc…
I haven’t tried it yet, but I will! Just when you thought you knew everything about boiling potatoes …

To all who love making potato salad but hate peeling the boiled potatoes, here is the solution for easy peeling. This will BLOW your mind. Well, we do learn something new every day.

I wish I had known about this thirty years ago. Peeling the cooked potato was the least desirable part in making a potato salad. Enjoy.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7375897927147969009

Yams have more vitamins, but it works for them too. No need for a peeler  – thanks Sharon for sending it to me.

Stay Informed:

You can tune in on the Redwood City Council website stay informed, there will be alot going on for the SALTWORKS restoration discussion. If you live anywhere in California, you’ll want to know about this.

THIS news makes my heart sing:
Great news! This week a poll commissioned by Save The Bay showed that registered voters in Redwood City are overwhelmingly opposed to Cargill/DMB’s massive proposal to pave the Bay! By a margin of 2 to 1 (57% to 28%), residents said “No” to Cargill! After hearing a short list of concerns about the project, opposition rose to 64% to 28%.
Thanks to all of your efforts to help raise awareness about this critical threat to the Bay, the poll found that 88% of Redwood City voters are familiar with the salt pond development plan; and the vast majority think that “the former Cargill salt ponds should be restored” back to wetlands.

Despite these irrefutable numbers that show Redwood City residents’ deep opposition to their scheme, Cargill/DMB still refuses to listen. In response to the headlines, DMB’s Senior Vice President told the Daily Journal that he gives, “no credence” to the results. Clearly these developers still don’t get it and think they can buy their way to approval.

Did you see the SALTWORKS show on KCSM public Television?