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Greetings!
This month in ENews
- see what First Thursday brings to us on August 2nd
- write a letter to save the whales
- join a tour of green homes
- learn about plastic in the ocean, Zero Waste on TV
- read up on CCD in bees
- recycle your eWaste
- and come to the many events in and around Marin.
Enjoy!
And for all of you who have graduated from EFM, please help make ENews special by replying with news about yourself, what you're up to, about environmental issues and events in your neighborhood. We all like to read about our "EFM Family".
Sherry Stanton
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35th Forum Series Education Program a month away
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EFM's Sustainable Earth Forum begins in September.
Featuring
- Expert Briefings
- Field Studies
- Effective Advocacy Practices
- Networking with Peers & Presenters
This tried and tested educational advocacy program is designed to help you understand the environmental aspects of complex issues facing our society.
Topics range from the vital role of wetlands in Marin County to the problems of global warming; from concerns about invasive species at Point Reyes to worldwide land and water use, energy production, population and ecological footprint issues.
The many expert speakers include college and university professors, scientists, members of the business community, environmental leaders & consultants, and public officials.
Classes begin September 11th 2007, ending with Graduation on February 5th 2008.
Held on Tuesdays each week with the exception of holiday weeks.
Cost is $380 which includes tuition, bus trips, course materials, and a one year membership to EFM.
For more information contact Anne Faught at Admissions@MarinEFM.org
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Download Flyer |
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EFM's Sustainable Communities Seminar February 2008
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Formerly called the Workshop Series, now the Sustainable Communities Seminar, or Seminar Series for short, this program features
- Expert Briefings
- Networking with Peers and Presenters
The Seminar series takes place over seven (7) Saturdays, usually beginning in February and ending in March. Enrollment is limited. For more details and an application packet, please check our website.
Velerie Merrin, class 34, Director of the Seminar Series, seeks planning and coordination assistance and appeals to all EFM graduates and especially members of her class to volunteer as coordinators for the Seminar Series. If you're interested, please email Valerie at Seminar@MarinEFM.org
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Seminar Series details |
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Recycle your eWaste Sat Jul 28th
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Drop off your computers and electronics - working and nonworking at Elephant Pharmacy at 909 Grand Avenue, San Rafael on July 28th between 10am and 2pm. Bring your relics to the recycling pros from the Computer Recycling Center.
Keep bad stuff out of landfills and be rewarded with free Organic Ice-Cream and Iced Tea in the Pharmacy.
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Look out for other Elephant Pharmacy events |
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Low Frequency Sonar and the Navy
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Act soon!
The navy is applying for a permit to go back to deploying their Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) throughout the world's oceans--and with twice as many boats.
LFAS has been known to kill whales, dolphins and other marine life by a tortuous means. I hope that you will be able to take a few minutes to send a letter or email asking that their permit be denied.
Phone Seaflow at 415-229-9366 for details on what to write and where to send a letter to the the National Marine Fisheries Service to oppose this proposal.
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Colony Collapse Disorder
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Many of us are familiar with Albert Einstein's quote: "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."
Honey Bees are dying in their millions across the United States and Europe.
Martha Proctor, class 32, has written a well researched article on Colony Collapse Disorder for the Point Reyes Light. Regrettably it is not on the Light's website, but keep a lookout for updates on this crisis
Bees are Sensitive ,Social creatures. They are Intelligent, they Learn and Remember. They also Suffer from occupational Diseases just like we do. (Thanks to the Ecologist magazine for this quote - subscribe to the Ecologist online for groundbreaking environmental coverage.)
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Re-thinking Plastics
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Plastic is clogging the eco-system!
We wrote about Fairfax banning plastic bags last month and report that the town council has met with a setback. Two packaging companies insist the council files an Environmental Impact Report. Instead, the council will reintroduce the ordinance with new wording, but this will delay the process. See excellent article by Peter Seidman in the July 20-26 Pacific Sun
Join Stuart Moody of Green Sangha and the Environmental Action Committee (EAC), Main Street Moms, Sustainable West Marin, and the West Marin Alliance at an evening of Re-thinking Plastics at Point Reyes Station.
Sat Aug 18th
At the Dance Palace, 5th & B Streets
7:30 - 9:00 pm.
For more information call Fred Smith at EAC, 663-9312.
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Read "Polymers Are Forever" in Orion magazine |
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Taste of Marin - The Food Event of the Year
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Marin Agricultural Land Trust, the Marin Farmers Markets and Marin Organic team up to present - Taste of Marin 2007- an event dedicated to supporting and promoting Marin's agricultural bounty.
Celebrate with local chefs, farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, and vintners at the historic St Vincent's School for Boys.
Sunday, August 26th. The event begins at 4pm with hors d'oeuvres, drinks, silent auction and dinner is seated at 6:30pm.
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Ticket information |
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West Marin Wild 2007
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Don't miss Labor Day Weekend at the Red Barn, Point Reyes National Seashore when the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) presents their biennial West Marin Wild art show.
Reservations required for Friday night preview at $50 members, $60 non-members.
Fri Aug 31st Preview Party 5-8pm
Sat Sep 1st and Sun Sep 2nd at 11am - 5pm
Mon Sep 3rd, 11am - 2pm.
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EAC's website |
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Building Sustainable Communities
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A rare chance to tour four Point Reyes Station and Inverness homes built with green practices and materials. Examples of passive solar construction, solar electricity, the affordable use of green and recycled materials, green second units, a permaculture garden and a food forest.
When: Sunday, August 26, 2007, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Schedule:
10:30 - 11 a.m. Check-in at Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station. See Green Building Display.
11:00 am - 12 p.m. Remarks by Supervisor Steve Kinsey on Greening of Marin. Green Building presentation and Tour Orientation by Jim Campe, architect and green building specialist.
Lunch provided.
12:00pm - 4pm Guided tour starts from Dance Palace promptly at 12 noon. Tour ends at 4pm with Straus ice cream!
Proceeds support the work of the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM) creating affordable, green housing in the communities surrounding Tomales Bay. Tickets: $40, includes lunch. Purchase by August 20 to secure a seat. Tickets at Point Reyes Books, 663.1542, or send check with name & address, phone/email to CLAM, P.O. Box 273, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956.
Scholarships available.
For information, contact CLAM: 663-1005.
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Zero Waste Workshop on Channel 26
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The Green Coalition for Responsible Waste / Resource Management wants us to know that Comcast Cable Public Access Marin Community Channel 26 will broadcast a Zero Waste Workshop
Friday July 27 & Tuesday July 31 at 10 PM
Please pass this on to other interested friends.
Note this does not broadcast to all areas of Marin.
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Petaluma Mayor's Boatride
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The Mayor's Boat Ride - a tour of Petaluma's waterways in non-motorized watercraft with Mayor Pamela Torliatt.
Hosted by Friends of the Petaluma River and the Petaluma Small Craft Center Coalition (PSC3)
Aug. 5th, 2007 - 9:30AM to 12:30PM
Petaluma Marina - 781 Baywood Dr. (near Hwy 101 at Lakeville exit)
All citizens with non-motorized watercraft are encouraged to participate: kayaks, canoes, rowboats, outrigger canoes, sculls, etc. are welcome.
Participants will need to provide their own non-motorized watercraft and safety equipment, including approved PFD's (personal flotation devices).
People ashore are invited to meet the Mayor's flotilla at 11:00 AM near the foot of B St. in downtown Petaluma for boating displays and refreshments.
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Friends of the Petaluma River website |
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Member News
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Senator Barbara Boxer, class 2, proudly accepted the "Progressive Champion for America's Future" award at the "2007 Take Back America Conference" on June 20th.
See her website for video clip.
And become a Citizen Co-sponser of her Global Warming Bill.
Clint Wilder, Class 31, reads from his book The Clean Tech Revolution at the Book Passage, Corte Madera, Weds. 8/29 7:00 p.m.
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Senator Boxer's Website |
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